President Sirisena Orders Immediate Reinstatement Of Defence Attache of Sri Lankan High Commission In London

February 07, 2018

President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the reinstatement of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando as the defence attache of the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in London. 

Sources close to the President said the latter gave instructions to the Foreign Ministry to reinstate the Brigadier, this morning. 

The Foreign Ministry yesterday suspended the Defence attache of the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in London with immediate effect following the throat-slitting video controversy. 

Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando repeatedly mimed slitting throat gestures to hundreds of chanting Tamil protestors outside the High Commission premises in London. The video of the incident went viral over the past  two days.

Issuing a statement this evening, the Foreign Ministry said it has taken serious note of the incident. 

The statement further stated that the Army would also launch an immediate inquiry into the incident.