The JVP would take all measures against any attempt by the USA if it goes out of its limits to take measures against Gen. Sarath Fonseka says the Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe. Gen. Fonseka being subjected to normal questioning that is carried out for persons who apply for citizenship in the USA is not an issue says Mr. Amarasinghe and adds that the USA has no right to question him regarding defeating terrorism.

Speaking at a special media briefing called by the JVP today Mr. Amarasinghe said, There is information that Gen Fonseka is to be questioned in relation to an application he had sent seeking residence in the USA and obtaining a green card. This questioning is to be carried out by Department of Homeland Security in the USA. If this questioning is carried out as a procedure that any person applying for US citizenship or green card has to follow, we have no question about it. However, if he is questioned regarding his leadership in the victory over tiger terrorism we have to be concerned regarding such an attempt. The USA has no right to question regarding that. If they do so it would be an issue regarding sovereignty of our country.

If the questioning goes beyond limits we too would have to take drastic measures. It should be defeated nationally as well as internationally. At the meeting held after defeating terrorism on 4th June we emphasized that we, as the JVP, would take measures against any attempt to charge any head of the military, political leader or any other citizen of this country of war crimes or any other attempt of taking legal action against them on account of defeating terrorism. Also, we call upon the government to be alert regarding such attempts and mediate diplomatically as well as legally to protect the rights of all citizens of this country. The government should not be lethargic at this instance at least, said Mr. Amarasinghe.

The General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva said, The issue here is the person to be questioned is a special person. His leadership was a decisive factor in the defeat of the 30 year old war against terrorism in Sri Lanka. As such, the so-called international community including the USA and European Union are somewhat crestfallen as the opportunity they were seeking to intervene in our country was denied to them. It is under such an environment this issue has come up. We emphasize that if the USA attempts to take measures that go beyond limits we would have to mediate to defeat such attempts. He is a government official. He is still the Chief of Defense Staff. Hence, the government, specially, should mediate in this diplomatically. This government has failed in many of its diplomatic affairs. It has messed up all instances they had to maneuver diplomatically. This issue should not be messed up the way they had done with many other issues.

Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Bimal Ratnayake too was present.