U.S. denies interfering in Sri Lanka election

The United States has denied accusations that it bankrolled Sri Lanka's defeated and imprisoned presidential candidate, and the U.S. Embassy called on the government to protect the rights of opposition supporters and media.

The denial came after reported allegations by Sri Lanka's defence secretary that the U.S. and Norway financially supported the opposition's attempt to oust the government in last month's presidential election.

"The United States backed no candidate but strongly supported a free, fair, and credible democratic process," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement Thursday night.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa secured a sweeping victory over his former army chief, Gen. Sarath Fonseka. The two men were close allies in the country's defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels last year, but they fell out after the war and contested a bitter election.

The political crisis deepened Monday after the military arrested Fonseka on unspecified sedition charges. The opposition has called his arrest illegal and an act of political vengeance.

Sri Lanka'sSupreme Court decided Friday to allow Fonseka to appeal his detention on Feb. 23. Hundreds of security forces were deployed around the court building.

On Wednesday, police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse thousands of opposition supporters gathered there to demand Fonseka's release after they clashed with scores of pro-government demonstrators.

Opposition threatens protests

The opposition has threatened countrywide protests until Fonseka is released. Pro-government groups have also said they will hit the streets.

In an interview with Singapore's Straits Times newspaper published Thursday, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the president's younger brother, was quoted as saying about Fonseka: "We are 100 per cent convinced that western countries with vested interests were backing him. Even the U.S., and countries like Norway, spent lots of money on his campaign."

He also said he had proof that Norway, which earlier had brokered unsuccessful peace talks between the government and rebels, had paid journalists to "write against the government."

"They have vested interests and used to support the Tamil Tigers in various ways. They also supported Fonseka to try oust the president," he was quoted as saying.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry denied the allegations, saying, "Norway has never and will never interfere with other countries' elections or in any way try to undermine or oust a democratically elected government and president."

The U.S. Embassy statement called on the government to respect the rights of those who supported the opposition in the election, after reports that scores of opposition activists were detained, harassed or pressured.

Media rights groups rank Sri Lanka among the most dangerous places in the world for journalists who criticize the government.

The country will hold general elections on April 8, when the ruling coalition hopes to secure a majority in the country's parliament.