Austin involved in Defence attache suspension

Brigadier Priyankara Fernando’s suspension from his post as Sri Lanka Minister-Counselor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK was a result of a unanimous decision taken by Presidential Secretary, Austin Fernando and several other key players of the government.

Sources say a special meeting was held between the Presidential Secretary, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commander of the Army led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana to discuss the incident where the Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was seen miming a throat-slitting gesture towards a group of protesters who had gathered outside Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in London on February 4.

The letter sent by the two UK MP’s to the British Foreign Secretary requesting that the diplomat is expelled from the UK over the incident was also discussed at this meeting sources said.

They had considered a PNG- persona non grata situation in the UK for Brigadier Fernando due to this incident and therefore had decided to suspend the Brigadier's service immediately. The President's Secretary had taken up the responsibility to inform the President while the Foreign Secretary had said he would inform the PM about the decision.

However, the President is said to have scolded the Foreign Secretary and had ordered him to withdraw the suspension of the Brigadier with immediate effect.

British MPs protest

The Army Commander, who had fully agreed to suspend the Brigadier later issued statements to the media in appreciation of the conduct of the Brigadier following the President's action.

While the chief of the Army has stated that there will be no inquiry against Brigadier the Sri Lankan High Commission in London is currently under pressure from Britain to take disciplinary action against him.

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