Sri Lanka on Monday strongly protested US plans to question Chief of Defence Staff Gen Sarath Fonseka over alleged human rights violations in the last phase of the civil war, saying he has no authority to share any information relating to national security with third parties.

The US Department of Homeland Security authorities have asked Fonseka, who is currently on a visit to the US, to make himself available for questioning in Oklahoma, on Wednesday.

“Our position is that the meeting should not take place,” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told reporters after Foreign Office summoned US Ambassador Patricia Butenis to lodge protest over the move and was told that the US should “forthwith desist from any endeavor to interview General Fonseka”.

“Whatever information General Fonseka may have acquired in the exercise of his official duties is privileged by nature. Therefore, it cannot legally be shared with third parties without the prior approval and consent of the Sri Lanka authorities,” Bogollagama said.

Foneska, who was the Army Chief during the last phase of the war, had travelled to the US on a diplomatic passport for pre-arranged appointments, he said.