Government tells US:

Privileged information cannot be shared

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, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

"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.

The President and the Government of Sri Lanka will not allow that high post to be denigrated or made vulnerable, he stressed.

The Foreign Minister made these remarks in explaining the position of the Government with regard to the attempt by the US Department of Homeland Security or DHS to interview Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka with a view to use him "as a source against human rights violations done by Secretary/Defence".

The allegations levelled against the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary affect the vital interests of the Government of Sri Lanka and have occupied considerable time and attention of the respective Governments, at the highest levels and therefore the action taken by the DHS is not needed, the Minister said.

Speaking further the Minister said: "The Chief of Defence Staff is a high level position within the Sri Lanka Government.

He travelled to the United States on a diplomatic passport for pre-arranged appointments. Moreover, 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".

He also said that the US Ambassador Ms. Patricia Butenis was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and told that the Department of Homeland Security should forthwith desist from any endeavour to interview General Fonseka.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya has also made similar representations to the State Department in Washington DC.

In response to a question asked why the DHS, a department designed to protect the US from terrorism wants to question the CDS, the Minister said that it is an interesting point that will be considered in the next few days.