A Fundamental rights violation petition challenging the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of Retired General Sarath Fonseka was filed before the Supreme Court in Colombo today. His wife Mrs Anoma Fonseka and New Democratic Front Secretary Ms Shamila Perera filed the fetition for and on behalf of Sarathl Fonseka. The Petition stated that commencing immediately upon his proclamation as the common opposition candidate during the recently concluded Presidential elction, there were additional security threats posed on him by those opposing his candidature; which included direct and/or indirect threats from the incumbent administration who were fielding the President as a candidate for re-election to office.The petition was filed for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to the freedom of thought and conscience, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, right to equality and equal protection of the law, freedom from discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom from unlawful detention, freedom of speech and expression and freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution.Meanwhile hundreds of people gathered today opposite the Court Complex at Hultsdorf in Colombo to protest against the illegal detention of retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka by the Government. The demonstration was organized by the political parties that supported Fonseka during his bid as the opposition Presidential candidate. What began as a peaceful protest in Colombo against the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka turned violent after it came under attack by another group. Police had to use teargas to control the protestors.In the districts of Galle , Matara and Ampara, teargas were used by the police to disperse opposition protestors . According to police media spokesman SP Preshantha Jayakody, protesters had not informed the police about the demonstration against the arrest of Sarath Fonseka.Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, government supporters and thousands of opposition activists have clashed in Colombo. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Officials said, at least eight people were hurt in the violence near the Supreme Court, officials said. The opposition is angry at the arrest of losing Presidential candidate, Gen Sarath Fonseka, on Monday night. The protests came a day after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved parliament, paving the way for elections by April.Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Army today strongly refuted allegations of harassing the former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka while he was being taken into custody. According to the Sri Lanka army website report Military Police personnel who went to take former Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka into custody on charges of military offences have neither beaten him nor harassed him on that occasion as reported in a section of the Media.The report further said that Military Police personnel on reaching the place of arrest informed General Fonseka of their intended arrest but he repeatedly rejected to comply with the process, compelling those Military Police personnel to take him out despite his remarks and refusals.Medical care as well as all other facilities has been made available to General Fonseka as required contrary to claims published in certain media reports.The report confirmed that Mrs Anoma Fonseka and General Fonseka’s nominated lawyer Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa on Tuesday evening visited the detained General Fonseka at a senior residential apartment at Navy Headquarters and spoke to him for about three hours beginning at about 6.30 p.m.Legal proceedings in accordance with Article 57 (1) of the Army Act are to be instituted against General Fonseka, now in military custody.The Presidential Secretariat website today said that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his outstanding victory in being elected for a second term in the recently concluded Presidential Election.The report further stated that in a 25 minute telephone conversation with the President today, the Secretary General wished him success in the continuance of his efforts to strengthen peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, with assurances of UN support for this work.President Rajapaksa apprised Mr. Ban Ki moon of current political developments, including the dissolution of Parliament, and the Government’s commitment to prevent divisions harmful to democracy, and conduct another peaceful election.Earlier, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had urged authorities in Sri Lanka to ensure the rights and safety of the defeated presidential candidate and former army chief who was taken into custody on Moday, and said he intends to speak to the country’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the issue. The 25 minute telephone conversation was initiated by the UNSG’s office.