Police unleash tear gas as thousands protest in Sri Lanka

From Iqbal Athas, CNN

Sri Lanka's former army chief and presidential candidate general Sarath Fonseka addresses the media on February 3 in Colombo.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Protesters were demanding release of former presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka
Jailed on charges of conspiring to overthrow government, assassinate rival

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Colombo, Sri Lanka (CNN) -- Police fired tear gas and water cannons Wednesday to disperse thousands of opposition protesters demanding the release of retired general and former presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka.

Fonseka lost to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was jailed after the January 27 election on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government and assassinate his rival.

An estimated 2,500 protesters took the streets Wednesday, gathering near Colombo's courts complex in Hulftsdorp, said police and witnesses.

Some protesters broke through police barriers, causing officers to use tear gas, authorities said.

Later, police used water cannons to disperse the crowds.