Sri Lankan envoy to Brazil leaves amid heat

Rio De Janeiro/Colombo, Aug. 30: A former Sri Lankan general accused of war crimes by human rights groups has left Brazil, where until recently he was his country’s ambassador to six nations in South America, an embassy official said on Wednesday.

Jagath Jayasuriya left Brazil on Sunday to return to Sri Lanka after completing his two-year tour of service, acting head of mission Premaphilake Jayakody said. “He is no longer ambassador,” Mr Jayakody said.

He declined to comment on allegations in criminal suits that rights groups began filing the previous day in the six countries where Jayasuriya represented Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government on Wednsday came out in defence of Mr Jayasuriya.

Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that the government was prepared to probe any specific charges made against the military and Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. Mr Senaratne, who is also the Health Minister, said the accusations against Jayasuriya were of a general nature.