The Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka was not subjected to any questioning prior to his departure yesterday by the United States Department of Homeland Security or any other agency of the US Government.

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, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, expressed gratitude to the US government for consultations that allowed General Sarath Fonsaka, Chief of Defense Staff, to forego an interview with the US Department of Homeland Security.

“I want to personally thank the State Department and Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Ambassador in Sri Lanka, for their cooperation in this matter,” Ambassador Wickramasuriya said.

Following is the text of the press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regards:

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