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This Article is From Nov 02, 2009

US to quiz Sri Lankan army chief?

Colombo: Sri Lanka has objected to its army chief being questioned by the US government over alleged human rights violations during the war with the Tamil Tigers.

General Sarath Fonseka is currently on a visit to the US to see his daughters who stay in Oklahoma. Reports say he has been asked to present himself for an interview with the US authorities.

The Sri Lankan army was accused of indiscriminate bombardment, and using heavy weaponry in areas where civilians were present in its offensive against the LTTE.

The US State Department submitted its report to the Congress in mid-October, outlining serious violations allegedly committed by Sri Lanka's army as well as LTTE rebels.

Sri Lanka had said it would appoint a high-level independent committee to probe US claims of human rights violations during the final phase of its civil war.

The Sri Lankan military had blamed reports of civilian deaths on the Tigers - with UN estimates of up to 6,500 killed - saying they used people as human shields.

The UN has previously said an inquiry is needed to nail the guilty.

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