'Concern' over ex-rebel passport

Col Karuna was once second-in-command in the Tamil Tigers

The Foreign Office has "expressed concern" to Sri Lanka over a false diplomatic passport issued to an ex-Tamil Tiger rebel leader.

A spokesman said the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London was told on 17 December of concern about the passport issued to Colonel Karuna Amman.

The government had previously declined to confirm that Col Karuna allegedly entered the UK under false pretences.

Col Karuna, being held in the UK, has been accused of human rights abuses.

Col Karuna used to be the commander of the Tamil Tigers in eastern Sri Lanka.

But he broke away from the Tigers in 2004 and started fighting alongside government forces against the Tigers.

Visa

Human rights groups have called on the UK government to prosecute him.

Sri Lankan newspapers have reported that he received the diplomatic passport in August and that it was issued under the name Kokila Gunawardena.

He was then given a UK visa by the British High Commission in the Sri Lankan capital after a recommendation by the Sri Lankan foreign ministry, one newspaper reported.

A spokesman for the Sri Lankan High Commission in London said it had no contact with Col Karuna and did not know about his passport status.

"We are not aware of any diplomatic passport being issued for Col Karuna," he said, adding that forgeries were common.

The Home Office, which deals with immigration matters, said Col Karuna has been detained following an operation by the Border and Immigration Agency.

"He is now being held in immigration detention and it would not be appropriate to comment any further," a spokesman said.