Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka back from US today

Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka is being recalled without being given an opportunity to face a voluntary interview. The US Homeland Security Department was to interview him on violations of human rights said to have been committed by Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa. The Sri Lankan Government lodged a strong protest against such an interview. Accordingly, General Fonseka is returning home.

Meanwhile, Minister Rohitha Bogollagama referred to the immediate measures taken by the Government to resolve the issue at the state level. Addressing Parliament today, the Foreign Minister said he summoned US Ambassador Patricia Butenis to his office on the 2nd of this month and informed her that General Sarath Fonseka was holding an important position as the Chief of Defence Staff. As such, he cannot divulge any information to a third party. The US Government or any department cannot derive privileged information from a Sri Lankan official. He requested that the scheduled interview be cancelled and General Fonseka be permitted to return home. (ITN News)
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The Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka left the United States this morning to return to Colombo. He was not subjected to any questioning prior to his departure by the United States Department of Homeland Security or any other agency of the US Government.

It would be recalled that towards the end of last month, the General who was then in the United States received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security requesting that he present himself for an interview on the 4th of November in Okhlahama City. Subsequently, there was also a telephone call from an official of the Department of Homeland Security to the General.

When this development was conveyed, including by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the United States, H.E. the President in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the Defence Secretary as the senior most official of that Ministry, were clear that the President and the Government of Sri Lanka would stand firmly behind the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. There would be no room allowed for that high post to be devalued or made vulnerable. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama immediately invited the US Ambassador in Colombo to see him, to point out that whatever information General Fonseka may have become aware of during his service with the Government of Sri Lanka and in the course of his duties, has a privileged status. Therefore, the Department of Homeland Security of the United States should forthwith desist from any endeavour to interview General Fonseka. A similar representation was made to the US State Department in Washington, through our Ambassador to the United States.

These representations in both Colombo and in Washington were followed by further diplomatic contacts and endeavours, to reinforce the well-founded position of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates the receptive and constructive attitude adopted by the US authorities, which in turn allowed General Fonseka to leave the United States without any damage to the national interest of Sri Lanka and to the dignity of his Office.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4th November 2009
http://www.slmfa.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220...

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