Mr. Fonseka was found guilty of engaging in politics while in uniform

The former general and his secretary, Captain Senaka de Silva, were jointly charged at the Colombo high court on Monday.

They are accused by the authorities of illegally recruiting 10 army deserters, who are also currently in custody, paying and providing them with shelters and using them to stage a coup against the government.

The statements by President's Secretary Lalith Weerathunga and Operations director at Sri Lanka Army, Maj Gen Savendra Silva were submitted to the court by police Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

Presidential elections

They said that Mr. Fonseka was not authorized by the ministry of defence to recruit the deserters for his election campaign in January this, year.

Gen Fonseka was the main opposition candidate against President Rajapaksa at 26 January presidential polls.

He was found guilty by a military court of engaging politics while in uniform and recommended he be cashiered. President Rajapaksa on Friday has confirmed the sentence recommended by the court martial.

Mr. Fonseka and his secretary were ordered to further detain until 30 August by a Colombo court when they were produced before the court on Monday.

He faces two other military trials and a series of civil cases on alleged corruption and arms procurement.

International community and the human rights groups have urged the government to file charges against Mr. Fonseka in civil courts arguing that he is no longer a military official.