Following high level talks between the governments of Sri Lanka and the US over a move by the US Department of Homeland Security to ‘interview’ Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, the US dropped its controversial plan. The war veteran, who had commanded the army during Sri Lanka’s successful war against the LTTE, was airborne at the time this edition went to press.

Government sources told The Island that on a presidential directive, the Foreign Ministry vehemently protested against the move, emphasising that the General could not be interviewed, interrogated or even asked to provide a voluntary statement.

Sources said that the government had also discussed with the State Department modalities of arranging for the General to leave the US before the scheduled ‘interview’ sought by authorities.

Responding to The Island queries, sources said that the State Department had been informed of the General’s travel from Oklahoma, where he was staying with his family, to Washington. Sources said that Sri Lanka’s Washington mission had facilitated the General’s departure. He is expected back in Colombo today.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the government‘s timely intervention had prevented an attempt by the US Homeland Security Department to question the General and facilitate his return home.

He was responding to a question raised by JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Bogollagama said that pro-LTTE ‘Tamils Against Genocide’ organisation was behind the move against the General.