The US has blocked a visa application from Sri Lankan Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka due to his involvement in war crimes, reports Daily Mirror.
The former commander of the Sri Lankan army, who was in charge at the time of the killing of tens of thousands of Tamils during the final stages of the armed conflict, reportedly applied for a US visa two weeks ago.
Daily Mirror quoted sources close to the former commander as stating his involvement in war crimes, documented in the OISL report released earlier this year as the reason for the application being blocked.
“Most probably this must be why the US embassy has refused him a visa to visit the US. There are no other issues,” said the sources. “He has not visited the US during the past five years and his green card has also expired,” they added.
Mr Fonseka has denied all the reports of mass violations laid out in the OISL report and has instead claimed responsibility for conducting Sri Lanka's military campaign during the armed conflict, stating he had “planned the entire operation”.
He had earlier said he was ready to face “any inquiry” over allegations of mass atrocities.
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