US can't quiz Gen. Sarath Fonseka: Sri Lanka

by lalith | November 2, 2009 at 09:34 am

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Colombo: Sri Lanka Monday strongly protested US plans to question Chief of Defence Staff Gen Sarath Fonseka over alleged human rights violations in the last phase of the civil war, saying he has no authority to share any information relating to national security with third parties. The US Department of Homeland Security authorities have asked Fonseka, who is currently on a visit to the US, to make himself available for questioning in Oklahama, on Wednesday.

"Our position is that the meeting should not take place," he told reporters after Foreign Office summoned US Ambassador Patricia Butenis to lodge protest over the move and was told that the US should "forthwith desist from any endeavor to interview General Fonseka."

"Whatever information General Fonseka may have acquired in the exercise of his official duties is privileged by nature. Therefore, it cannot legally be shared with third parties without the prior approval and consent of the Sri Lanka authorities," Bogollagama said.

Foneska, who was the Army Chief during the last phase of the war, had travelled to the US on a diplomatic passport for pre-arranged appointments, he said. He said Fonseka, a US green card holder, has been asked to testify before US authorities whose objective is to to use him "as a source against human rights violations by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa)."

Besides a letter, Fonseka also received a telephone call from the US Homeland Department in this regard. "The matter under reference has serious implications for the security and welfare of the people of Sri Lanka and the Government of Sri Lanka will under no circumstances, authorise such an illegal act," Bogollogama said. He said the US Ambassador was also briefed of the decision taken by Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint a panel to consider matters relating to human rights violations in a US State Department dossier.

The Foreign Minister said Fonseka "has no authority to divulge or share this information with third parties, without the prior approval and consent of the Sri Lanka authorities." He said the President and the Government of Sri Lanka stand firmly behind the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka.

Right at this moment, USA's main priority seems to be Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka. They don't seem to be too worried about the killings of hundreds in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Civilians in other countries have not been a big deal for thge Americans. nobody is yet to comment on the Drone attack on civilians in Afghanistan. Do we call this double standards?

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is a decorated war hero. So is Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Both were decorated for their bravery when fighting the LTTE terrorists.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Minister talks about rules, regulations and what is right. Does this show some sort of panic in the Government quarters? Let's hope not.

Although there is speculation that Gotabhaya and Sarath Fonseka do not see eye to eye these days, it is very remote that fonseka will say anything bad about the former. It seems that the US is trying to make use of the alleged rift between the two to gain some ground. They tried it in Iran, Iraq (with Saddam Hussein, their friend during the Iran/Iraq war) and failed.

If there is an inquiry, I am sure Sarath Fonseka will laugh all the way home. Most of the HR violations by the Sri Lankan Government have been put out by LTTE suppoorting elements. most of whom live abroad. If USA can prove the allegations againt Rajapaksa and Fonseka, then Fonseka would have been arrested rather than inviting him for an interview.

Fonseka has been the greatest war time Sri Lankan Army Commander, ever. He eliminatated the most ruthless terrorists in the world, where as USA is still trying to show their prowess in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Vietnam will not be mentioned here as it is a whole different ball game which the Americans would like to forget.

The Foreign Minister said Fonseka "has no authority to divulge or share this information with third parties, without the prior approval and consent of the Sri Lanka authorities." He said the President and the Government of Sri Lanka stand firmly behind the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister can talk about the rights and wrongs till the cows come home. Sarath Fonseka is a man with a high level of integrity and am sure that the blokes at Homeland Security will not be able to get anything, good or bad out of this man.

US brags about the capabilities of their CIA, FBI etc. Then, they should be able to have concrete proof against Rajapaksa, Fonseka and any others whom they want to question or for that matter arrest. Why are they depending on Fonseka, to get a foot in the door?

As long as Obama enjoys the donations made by TRO front organizations such as Tamils for Obama, Sri Lanka will have to brace herself up for humiliation etc by the US and its allies.

At the present moment, the best which US can do is to quiz Fonseka about what should be done to beat the terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan and maybe Iraq, and not harass him just to show that they are pure and can make no mistake, besides getting their youth killed in wars abroad.

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Nilmini wicks (not verified)

at 16:58 on November 2nd, 2009

Fellow Lankans As we all aware that all of these political giants ( fox) and wanna be giants ( fonseka) are decorated war heroes we should also not forget the underlying problem of our country. Hiding the truth and trying to live on the transient triumphs. We have to dig deeper in to the issues of our ethnic groups and try to live in harmony. Not just closing our eyes and fooled by the heroes of Lanka and wanna be citizens of USA ( Sarath and Gotapaya). I have little liking toward Rajpakshe. Anybody in his seat will do what he did ( including me). There is no point in dwelling in the past ( buddhasasana - which says the country is for Buddhist) its not going to happen. The win and happiness are going to be temp not a permanent sol. Lets work together, try to change our views, try to communicate with our fellow folks and build a united Lanka where everybody enjoys freedom, first class treatment and no discrimination. Otherwise lets divide and go on our own way .How do like this from a Tamil person?

lalith

at 17:07 on November 2nd, 2009

Good one Nilmini.

The point of the post is - US trying to quiz Fonseka.

Fonseka got his Green Card much before the Mavil Aru battle. He was contemplating retirement and then settling down in the USA. Gotabhaya is already an American citizen.

I agree with what you say. Let's work together and build a united Sri Lanka.

Thanks

Brian Ellis (not verified)

at 17:35 on November 2nd, 2009

The Sri Lankan government has now succeededin isolating the entire Tamil population in "refugeecamps" where they are they are dying from diseaseand malnutrition. This is genocide.

B12N

at 13:03 on November 5th, 2009

285.000 abt 10% of the Tamil Population in Sri Lanka ( entire population of the vanni region ) is detained by the SL army and gov.

In recent weeks some thousands are released. Many are telling horrible stories about how the army handled them in those camps.

- 4 to 6 hours waiting in a line to get 20 liter water

- 1 meal a day

- No proper shelter

- 1200 elderly people died in 4 months due to malnutrition and diseases

- 11000 youth arrested and suspected as ex-ltte, while the governments said that there were only 1300 LTTE's left in Jan 09

-Many incidents between army and Tamils in camps. Once a SL army shot a 8 year boy.

lalith

at 07:48 on November 6th, 2009

Thanks for the post Dr. B12N.

If what you say from thousands of miles away is true, then, conditions were worse during the days of that dead mass murderer terrorist Prabhakaran.

What were you doing all these days? Doctoring videos?

lalith

at 17:46 on November 2nd, 2009

Brian Ellis,

What you are saying is BS. Check your facts before commenting.

B12N

at 13:07 on November 5th, 2009

talking abt BS. Time is near for the Sri Lankan State terrorists.
They have been telling BS for so many years. Now the truth coming out. Don't get frustrated.

Justice will win.

Sri Lankan State Terrorists will be punished. Tens of thousands of innocent Tamils's souls killed by Sri Lankan cowards will finally rest in peace!

lalith

at 07:50 on November 6th, 2009

"justice will win."

Just is winning. Just hang in there B12N! Enjoy your bacon and eggs and yorkshire pudding till then

Rifadh (not verified)

at 22:24 on November 2nd, 2009

.....entire Tamil population in "refugeecamps"..... ?????? Go, take your pills first. You aughta spot the symptoms yourself by now !!!

Nihal Muller (not verified)

at 22:35 on November 2nd, 2009

I think US should be allowed to question Gen Fonseka. SL can charge US for tution on a per minute basis.

Thamarikani (not verified)

at 06:20 on November 4th, 2009

He has killed thousands of innocent Tamils. He is responsible for the deaths and rapes of thousands of Tamils. He must be brought to justice. US government will do it correctly.We salute the US government and the human rights organizations in the name of humanity and Justice.

Nihal Muller (not verified)

at 23:42 on November 4th, 2009

"He must be brought to justice" He was........... That is how he is back here without any nonsence.

lalith

at 10:12 on November 4th, 2009

Lost again.

Fonseka is on his way back to SL as we speak. Should land in Colombo any time now. Unharmed, unscathed and unperturbed by LTTE terrorist supporters' actions in the USA.

Stay tuned for more news.

B12N

at 12:54 on November 5th, 2009

Kl. Coward Fonseka left US. I think he is not used to justice and democratic system.

lalith

at 07:52 on November 6th, 2009

"I think he is not used to justice and democratic system."

You think? This means you have a doubt. But, in my case, I know that the above statement by you better suits Prabhakaran the dead terrorist,run god!

lalith

at 10:15 on November 4th, 2009

[q url ="http://www.expressbuzz.com"]

General Sarath Fonseka, who was Sri Lanka's army commander when it defeated Tamil rebels in May, left the US without being questioned by US authorities about the final phase of military operations against the guerrillas, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

It was believed the expected questioning concerned suspected human rights abuses committed during the final campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).Fonseka, who is now chief of the defence staff, was on a private visit to the US to meet his daughters when the US Department of Homeland Security asked him to present himself for an interview Wednesday in Oklahoma City. [\q]

What a disappointment to the Terrorists and their supporters, which include those who accepted donations from the terrorists for their political campaigns in the USA.

lalith

at 10:34 on November 4th, 2009

Sri Lanka general avoids US questioning: ministry Yahoo! US - Asia

Sri Lanka military chief skips US war crimes quiz - Emirates Business

Sri Lanka's ex-army chief leaves US without facing questioning - Monsters and Critics

Sri Lanka's top general leaves U.S. unquestioned - Reuters - Business

Fonseka leaves US without facing questioning - Expressbuzz.com

S Lanka general avoids questions - BBC

Sri Lanka: Fonseka flees US - TamilNet

According to Tamilnet, Fonseka has fled US. What unbiased reporting compared to the others?

Irshan Fazly (not verified)

at 03:12 on November 6th, 2009

Where was the US Department of Homeland Security when the LTTE exploded bombs in Colombo TARGETTING civilians, massacared men/ women/ children of muslims & civilians in the border villages, killed Tamil leaders who did not fall in line with LTTE and what were they doing. From what I have heard General Fonseka had been a good sportsman and a top swimmer who had joined the Army to persue a military career. He is not a blood hounding criminal to be queried against the "war crimes"