New Charge

July 13, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lankan police have filed a new case against former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka for allegedly employing military deserters, his party said Tuesday.

Fonseka led the Sri Lankan army to a spectacular victory against Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year, ending the island's 37-year separatist conflict.

But he fell out with President Mahinda Rajapakse afterwards over who should take credit for the military success.

He made an unsuccessful bid to unseat him in elections in January. Fonseka, who is also now an opposition lawmaker, is accused of employing 10 army deserters in the run-up to the January presidential poll he contested unsuccessfully against President Mahinda Rajapakse.

He was named as an accused in a criminal court hearing Monday and formal charges are expected when the court reconvenes on July 26. If convicted, Fonseka faces a possible 20-year prison sentence.

On Monday, the government had also pressed 21 new charges against Fonseka in connection with another case in which he is accused of awarding irregular contracts while serving as army chief.

"This a political vendetta against a war hero," opposition lawmaker Vijith