US has said it is in touch with the defeated Sri Lankan opposition presidential candidate over the issue of his security, which was withdrawn on Thursday, and has urged president Mahinda Rajapaksa to move towards a political reconciliation.
"We are watching carefully, and we have been in touch with General Fonseka regarding his security", US assistant secretary of state Philip Crowley said in Washington.
On the fears expressed by the defeated candidate, Crowley said, "Well, he had expressed public concerns, and I think the (US) embassy (in Colombo) reached out to him, and just remain – we'll remain in contact with him to clarify what his future intentions are, and to be helpful if that's appropriate".
On whether Fonseka had a US residency, Crowley said, "Yes, he does."
The US official said the Sri Lankan president should move towards a political reconciliation after his victory.
"But we think that president Rajapaksa now has an opportunity to continue to move forward with the political reconciliation, and start the process of devolution to the provinces" Crowley said.
"He (Fonseka) feels threatened that he could get arrested on false charges of planning a coup," his close aide told PTI here.
