Banned By U.S., Ex-Sri Lankan Admiral Hits Back

Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda has expressed surprise at the decision of the United States to blacklist his family and him from entering the country. “I have some doubts about the move and believe that there is something else behind this. It is a surprise to me that 14 years after the war, suddenly the US has taken a decision to blacklist me,” said Karannagoda, who is now Governor of Sri Lanka’s North Western Province. Earlier this week, the U.S. State department designated him for alleged human rights violation during his tenure as a Naval Commander. “The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible,” the State Department said. The former Admiral hit back, saying “It is a shame for the State Department to refer to some NGOs reports to designate me”. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry has rejected the U.S. move, calling it “unilateral”, reports Daily Mirror.