Fonseka returns and is driven away under tight security
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's top military officer returned home Thursday after he was allowed to complete a US visit without being questioned over alleged war crimes against Tamil civilians.
General Sarath Fonseka arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport and was immediately driven away under tight security, an airport official said.
"He arrived this morning in a commercial flight and was escorted out of the airport by his security convoy," an official said.
The Foreign Ministry here said he ended his US visit without being quizzed by the Department of Homeland Security, which had asked to interview him about alleged war crimes during the final stages of fighting this year.
Fonseka, who holds US permanent residency, had travelled to Oklahoma to visit his two daughters.
Sri Lanka had feared the department would try to force Fonseka to provide evidence against Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who holds US citizenship, over alleged human rights violations.
The defence secretary is the younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Sri Lankan troops in May killed the leaders of the Tamil Tigers, ending one of Asia's longest-running and bloodiest insurgencies, which aimed to create a separate homeland for the island's Tamil minority.
A US State Department report presented to Congress last month charged that both the government and Tamil Tigers committed serious human rights violations in the final months of the conflict.
Fonseka was mentioned in the US report, which was initially dismissed by Colombo as "unsubstantiated," although the Sri Lankan government later promised to have the charges investigated. (AFP)
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Comments
"East or West, home is the best"
Posted By: Vipula Vishvanath
Cheers to best Army Commander in the world. USA inquire your own war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Posted By: Yohan Dinesh
NOW THAT THE GENERAL HAS COME BACK SAFELY, WE ALL MUST PROTECT HIM FROM BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FORCE4S. PATRIOTIC CITIZEN
Posted By: mohan peiris
Praying for your safety in homeland to Sir,
Posted By: Nina Kamal
mr.fonsaka DHS requested you to present on 4th nov 2009. DHS office in USA.your lawyers told you first complay then complain. you missed the bus.please ready for the summon.srilanka no one have the right to help. we are sorry.god bless.
Posted By: JP
Welcome back sir. Please take care of yourself. We love you.
Posted By: Nimalie Ferdinandez
MR Fonsaka do not depend on foreign minister he is talking nonsense all the time.other man is Human right minister.do not trust politicians.now you are not in force. please joined the family.GOD bless.
Posted By: JP
JP, don't talk nonsense. He is still in army and he is the CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF. He is ahead of Army commander and next to Defence Secratary.
Posted By: Wara
General you have done your part - Sri Lankans are greatful to you without a single doubt - its high time for you to be with your family and they need you badly more than politicians
Posted By: piyal
Please remain the war hero and the true patriot you are.
Posted By: Nihal Amarasekera
Dear Genral Fonseka , It is common to have differences with human , Even if you live with your own brothers there will be a differences on many matters , but sucess of this is to have dialouge to iorn out them with no ego over other, Same will apply with your relation with other memebers of the winning team , You will be look better among President ,Sec.Gota & other defence staff tham With Ranil , Managal & Ravi K .
Posted By: DXB
politicians; which ever side; are funny and most unreliable. Take care and remain the war hero and true patriot you are; please.
Posted By: Nihal Amarasekera
MR.JP-You are not known about General Fonseka. He is the worlds best ARMY COMMANDER. He does not care anyone. Don’t try to judge people on your way. Thou you scarred of white skin, don’t think that others would be the same. Definitely God will bless him for leading SL Army to evaluate brutal terrorism in Sri Lanka. Time has changed west is not the controller of the world.
Posted By: Yohan Dinesh
Yohan - if he was not scared or guilty of any war crimes - why should he avoid an interview. It proves beyond doubt he did commit together with the Pres. and his team. God Bless
Posted By: Imran
come on DXB, Don't look at genral face thru a blue glass.We all with him and let him think of his own future
Posted By: ARUNA PERERA
Imran - ltte terrorism was our problem, then the war, again our problem. and now its all done who the hell is US to come and question our army commander? its not a matter of being scared or guilty. it is his right as a sri lankan.
Posted By: Ace
You can run....run....but can't hide....Judgement day is doominig......pathetic.....
Posted By: human
General Sarath Fonseka arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport and was immediately driven away under tight security, an airport official said.
"He arrived this morning in a commercial flight and was escorted out of the airport by his security convoy," an official said.
The Foreign Ministry here said he ended his US visit without being quizzed by the Department of Homeland Security, which had asked to interview him about alleged war crimes during the final stages of fighting this year.
Fonseka, who holds US permanent residency, had travelled to Oklahoma to visit his two daughters.
Sri Lanka had feared the department would try to force Fonseka to provide evidence against Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who holds US citizenship, over alleged human rights violations.
The defence secretary is the younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Sri Lankan troops in May killed the leaders of the Tamil Tigers, ending one of Asia's longest-running and bloodiest insurgencies, which aimed to create a separate homeland for the island's Tamil minority.
A US State Department report presented to Congress last month charged that both the government and Tamil Tigers committed serious human rights violations in the final months of the conflict.
Fonseka was mentioned in the US report, which was initially dismissed by Colombo as "unsubstantiated," although the Sri Lankan government later promised to have the charges investigated. (AFP)
Comments
"East or West, home is the best"
Cheers to best Army Commander in the world. USA inquire your own war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.
NOW THAT THE GENERAL HAS COME BACK SAFELY, WE ALL MUST PROTECT HIM FROM BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FORCE4S. PATRIOTIC CITIZEN
Praying for your safety in homeland to Sir,
mr.fonsaka DHS requested you to present on 4th nov 2009. DHS office in USA.your lawyers told you first complay then complain. you missed the bus.please ready for the summon.srilanka no one have the right to help. we are sorry.god bless.
Welcome back sir. Please take care of yourself. We love you.
MR Fonsaka do not depend on foreign minister he is talking nonsense all the time.other man is Human right minister.do not trust politicians.now you are not in force. please joined the family.GOD bless.
JP, don't talk nonsense. He is still in army and he is the CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF. He is ahead of Army commander and next to Defence Secratary.
General you have done your part - Sri Lankans are greatful to you without a single doubt - its high time for you to be with your family and they need you badly more than politicians
Please remain the war hero and the true patriot you are.
Dear Genral Fonseka , It is common to have differences with human , Even if you live with your own brothers there will be a differences on many matters , but sucess of this is to have dialouge to iorn out them with no ego over other, Same will apply with your relation with other memebers of the winning team , You will be look better among President ,Sec.Gota & other defence staff tham With Ranil , Managal & Ravi K .
politicians; which ever side; are funny and most unreliable. Take care and remain the war hero and true patriot you are; please.
MR.JP-You are not known about General Fonseka. He is the worlds best ARMY COMMANDER. He does not care anyone. Don’t try to judge people on your way. Thou you scarred of white skin, don’t think that others would be the same. Definitely God will bless him for leading SL Army to evaluate brutal terrorism in Sri Lanka. Time has changed west is not the controller of the world.
Yohan - if he was not scared or guilty of any war crimes - why should he avoid an interview. It proves beyond doubt he did commit together with the Pres. and his team. God Bless
come on DXB, Don't look at genral face thru a blue glass.We all with him and let him think of his own future
Imran - ltte terrorism was our problem, then the war, again our problem. and now its all done who the hell is US to come and question our army commander? its not a matter of being scared or guilty. it is his right as a sri lankan.
You can run....run....but can't hide....Judgement day is doominig......pathetic.....
