Sarath Fonseka says denied visa to UN due to war crimes allegations

by Abi
Sep 19, 2017

Sarath Fonseka, Sri Lanka’s former army chief, has said he was denied a visa to attend the UN general assembly because of unresolved war crimes allegations against the military.

The war-time commander and now minister of regional development claimed he was due to travel to New York with President Sirisena this week, but was the only member of the Sri Lankan delegation to be denied a visa.

"I was not given a visa because of the war crimes allegations against the military," Fonseka told reporters, according to AFP. "That is why I say they must be investigated."

The ‘excesses’ by a "few" during the final stages of the island's war should not tarnish the image of the Sri Lankan armed forces, Fonseka is reported to have said.

Read more on the Daily Mail.

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