serious security implications -Foreign Minister
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
DHS move has serious implications for security and welfare of Sri Lanka
The President and the Government of Sri Lanka stand firmly behind the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. We will not allow that high post to be denigrated or made vulnerable, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing the media on the moves by the USD Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to question the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who is now in the USA.
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, authorize such an illegal act, he added.According to available facts the objective of the questioning is to use the CDS “as a source against human rights violations done by Secretary/Defence”. The Minister said.The CDS had traveled to the United States on a diplomatic passport for pre-arranged appointments. Whatever General Fonseka may have become aware of during his service with the Government of Sri Lanka and in the course of his duties, has the status of privileged information. He has no authority to divulge or share this information with third parties, without the prior approval and consent of the Sri Lanka authorities, the Minister said.Answering a question from the media as to why the US DHS which has as its mandate the protection of the US from terrorism wishes to obtain information on the Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, Minister Bogollagama said it was an interesting matter as to why a department that has its main function to safeguard the US from terrorism, wants to question a person who was largely responsible for defeating terrorism here.In response to another question whether CDS Gen Sarath Fonseka being a Green Card Holder will be subject to US laws and will be obliged to answer questions put to him by DHS, the Minister said the Green Card was a visa arrangement, and the holding of a green card cannot alter the primary allegiance of the CDS to the Government of Sri Lanka to be subordinated to any other country. Whatever he knows is his capacity as CDS and former Army Commander is privileged, and it is wrong to ask him to reveal it to any others, without the agreement of the Government of Sri Lanka.The US Ambassador had been given an Aide Memoire on the Government’s position, after discussions with her where the position of the Government had been clearly stated
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