COLOMBO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police have been asked to begin investigation on an alleged plot to assassinate former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka as reported in a newspaper.

    Lakshman Hulugalla, the director general of Media Center for National Security told reporters on Saturday that the report carried in an opposition political party newspaper had alleged that Gen Fonseka was to have been assassinated through a plot hatched by a politician connected with the government.

    "This is a serious charge and the government has security obligations to order an investigation," Hulugalla said.

    Fonseka, who retired on Monday is widely thought to be the common opposition candidate in the snap presidential election expected to be called by the incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse next week.

    Rajapakse as the Commander in Chief and Fonseka as the Army Commander were credited equally with the government's military success over Tamil Tiger rebels.