COLOMBO, Sri Lanka
The leader of hardline Sri Lankan Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena has had his visa to the United States revoked.
Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara's five-year multiple entry visa was cancelled only three weeks after anti-Muslim violence broke out in southern Sri Lankan resort towns, where he had addressed a rally of his supporters, on June 15.
"Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was informed by one of the officials at the Embassy of United States in Colombo that his multiple entry visa had been revoked, under the instructions by the Department of State," Dilanthe Withanage, Bodu Bala Sena's Chief Executive Officer told Anadolu Agency.
Gnanasara received his visa in 2011, before the formation of Bodu Bala Sena, and was able to travel to the United States in 2013 for a Buddhist religious event.
"We don't know the reason for revoking his multiple entry visa. He travelled to the USA in 2013 without any problem. We are yet to receive a letter from the Embassy of United States citing the reason," Withanage said.
Officials at the U.S. Embassy in the capital city Colombo declined to comment on the suspension of his visa.
Bodu Bala Sena's official Facebook account, which had thousands of followers, and those belonging to its senior leaders, including Gnanasara, were banned last week.
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