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BBS concerned over US visa cancellation
The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said it would express its concern to the State Department through the US Embassy in Sri Lanka over the visa cancellation of the organization’s General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
BBS Executive Committee Member and Coordinator Dilantha Withanage told the Daily Mirror that a US embassy official who contacted Gnanasara Thera on Friday had informed him over the phone, of the State Department’s decision to cancel his visa.
Withanage said they would express concern over the visa cancellation following the receipt of a written notification and would request an explanation on the decision.
“Just a phone call is not enough – the official hasn’t even explained the reasons behind visa cancellation. We acknowledge that it’s well within the rights of the US to make this decision. However, we are disappointed over the fact that they made it without any consultation with Gnanasara Thera,” Withanage said.
Meanwhile contacted by the Daily Mirror, a US embassy spokesman said, “The US government does not comment on individual visa issues as they are confidential under US law.”
According to Withanage, Gnanasara thera had received a five-year multiple entry visa in 2011 as he had to travel to Indiana for a religious function. He had used the same visa to travel to the US once again in 2013 and Withanage said plans were underway to make another trip to the US next month to attend another religious function. (Lakna Paranamanna)
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