UN and EU concerned on Fonseka's arrest

European Union (EU) has said that it is "closely" following the situation in Sri Lanka after the arrest of Fonseka.The EU, in a statement from Brussels, called for concrete efforts to overcome the divisions of the past and moves towards genuine reconciliation."We call on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that the rule of law and the safety and security of candidates and campaign workers are ensured," Spokesperson of the High Representative/Vice President of the EU Catherine Ashton said in a statement on Wednesday."We urge the Government and all communities in Sri Lanka to make concrete efforts to overcome the divisions of the past and to move on to genuine reconciliation, without which there can be no return to long-term security or prosperity," the statement added. UN chief also announced plans to dispatch his top political official to the island nation for dialogue, the UN News Centre said in New York.Ban said he would send Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs B Lynn Pascoe to Colombo for talks soon. Voicing concern over the arrest of ex-army commander Sarath Fonseka, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to respect due process of law in the case of the General and announced plans to send one of his top envoys to Sri Lanka for talks with the government. Ban conveyed his concerns to President Rajapaksa during a telephonic conversation on Wednesday night.According to a spokesperson of the UN Secretary General, Ban urged the President to respect due process of law regarding the case of the former army chief and "runner-up" in 26th January presidential elections. He called on the Sri Lankan government to guarantee personal safety of Fonseka, who was arrested on Monday for alleged "military offences."