International   

U.K. seeks answer on Karuna’s passport

LONDON: In a move that is likely embarrass Colombo, the British Foreign Office has asked the Sri Lankan High Commission here to explain how the rebel LTTE leader “Col.” Karuna was able to obtain a forged Sri Lankan diplomatic passport to travel to Britain.

“Col.” Karuna, who is facing allegations of war crimes, was detained last month for entering Britain illegally using a diplomatic passport that reportedly described him as the “director-general of wildlife conservation”. He allegedly claimed he had come to attend a climate change conference.

The Foreign Office conveyed its “concern” to Sri Lankan High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne here on Monday. “The issue was raised at a meeting on 17th December. We expressed our concern about how Mr Karuna was able to obtain a diplomatic passport,” a spokesman said, but declined to give details.

Asked about the reported move to prosecute “Col.” Karuna for alleged war crimes, he said it was a matter for the Home Office.

The Sri Lankan High Commission confirmed to The Hindu that the Foreign Office had raised the issue about “Col.” Karuna’s travel documents during a meeting, but denied claims that the High Commissioner was “called” to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to explain.

The High Commission denied any knowledge of how “Col.” Karuna obtained a false diplomatic passport.

“The Sri Lankan government is unaware of any diplomatic passport to Karuna or any application for a visa to enter the U.K.,” a spokesman said, adding that Tamil rebels were “known for forging passports”.

The British government has been concerned about Colombo’s alleged backing for “Col.” Karuna, who broke away from the LTTE three years ago to form his own group, the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), and is now engaged in fighting the LTTE amid allegations of recruiting child soldiers, many of whom have been reportedly killed in battle.

Earlier this year, Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells told MPs that the government believed “Col.” Karuna and his group were “responsible for extra-judicial killings, abductions, intimidation of displaced persons and child recruitment”.

Rights activists allege that his group has also been involved in murders, torture and abductions, and claim that there is a case for investigating these allegations.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

It would be a blunder to start talks with Prabakaran, says Devananda
“Move to shift Prabakaran for treatment”
Lawyer back under house arrest
China’s home-grown jet rolls out
U.K. seeks answer on Karuna’s passport
Schengen sees biggest-ever enlargement
Bail of woman convicted of slavery revoked
In orbit, an astronaut mourns mother
Menon’s visit shows continuity: Ahamed
U.S. court revokes bail of woman convicted of slavery

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu