Lanka now says US did not attempt to question Fonseka

In a strange twist of events Sri Lanka now says there was no attempt by the US authorities to quiz former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Sarath Fonseka despite the Foreign Ministry earlier issuing a statement to the contrary.

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN and former Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona, in an interview on the ‘Hot Seat’ segment on the online version of Daily Mirror said that it has now been conveyed to the highest levels that there was no such attempt by the US.

When asked if in UN terms the attempt to quiz the General was a serious attempt made by the US as it had attempted to bypass usual diplomatic channels, Dr. Kohona said “I think what you just said is wrong. We have information and this has been conveyed at the highest levels that no such attempt was made”.

Pressed on the same topic again Dr. Kohona said “We have no information to suggest that such an interview was sought”.

The denial by Dr. Kohona that the US had made such an attempt contradicts a Foreign Ministry statement issued on the 4th of this month which said 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.

“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,” the Foreign Ministry statement had said.

The Foreign Ministry, at the time said that when the development was conveyed, including by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the United States, 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 and 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.


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