Colombo: Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff
General Sarath Fonseka is returning home from the US after
skipping possible grilling by authorities there on alleged
human rights violation during the last phase of the war
against LTTE, a legislator said here today.
Marxist JVP Member Samantha Vidyaratne told Parliament
that he had received information that Gen Fonseka, who was
scheduled to have a meeting with the authorities in Oklahama
at 3 pm (Sri Lankan time), left for Colombo at 11 am.
Fonseka, who oversaw the army's final campaign against
the rebel Tamil Tigers in May, which led their annihilation,
is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow, the MP said.
"In the same way this brave soldier rid the country of
terrorism, he is now on his way home without betraying the
nation," Vidyaratne said.
It was only after hectic diplomatic efforts by the Sri
Lankan authorities that the proposed meeting apparently did
not take place.
Sri Lanka strongly protested US plans to question
Fonseka, a green card holder, over alleged human rights
violations, saying he has no authority to share any
information relating to national security with third parties.
The US Department of Homeland Security had asked Fonseka,
who was on a visit to the US, to make himself available for
questioning in Oklahama today.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 18:40