Sunday December 25, 2011 A Defence Ministry official yesterday described as 'frivolous' purported claims by a onetime Major General that the Army higher-ups were ordered to kill civilians who surrendered during the final stages of the separatist war in May 2009.
"We know the officer concerned who had to leave on disciplinary grounds. His purported claim is only to back up his appeal for asylum in the United States," the source said. "He was on a watch list when serving and was found engaged in political activity," the source added.The remarks came after a report in Britain Sunday Telegraph gave details of an affidavit he had provided the US authorities. Here is the report: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/
"The claims are contained in a sworn deposition, seen by The Daily Telegraph, made by a career officer who rose to the rank of major general before he fled the country in fear of his life to seek asylum in the United States.
"The claims are contained in a sworn deposition, seen by The Daily Telegraph, made by a career officer who rose to the rank of major general before he fled the country in fear of his life to seek asylum in the United States.
"He is the highest ranking person to assert that atrocities against Tamil rebels and civilians were sanctioned at the highest echelons of the government. The source had the highest security clearance and close contact with some of the army's most powerful figures. "His testimony contradicted a government-appointed commission, which concluded that Sri Lanka's military did not intentionally target civilians. Full Story>>>
