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London Defence Attaché back to work on MS orders

7 February 2018 12:10 pm - 39     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Minister Counsellor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London was allowed to resume duties on a Presidential Directive today after being suspended from his duties following a video footage, Army Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said.

The video footage showed him behaving in an offensive manner was emerged and circulated on social media during the past few days.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror Brigadier Atapattu said the Minister Counsellor was earlier suspended from his duties until inquiries were concluded with regard to the alleged incident involving him.

“However, President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the authorities to allow him to resume duties from today. Inquires are still on-going with regard to the alleged incident,” Brigadier Atapattu said.

The incident occurred during a protest held by a group of LTTE supporters outside the High Commission in London on the Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.

The protesters demanded information on the missing persons, to release all political prisoners and to close down torture camps.

A video showed Minister Counsellor (Defence) Brigadier Priyankara Fernando, who came out from the High Commission office, making a slitting the throat gesture towards the protesters. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)


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  Comments - 39

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  • suresh Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:23 PM

    finally, a quick and correct directive.

    ram Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:25 PM

    Prez Maithiri has proved his stance on war crimes. Will the British gov. allow Brd. Priyankara to be there now?

    malik Wednesday, 07 February 2018 05:22 PM

    will the British gov, allow a banned Terrorist Org to break British Law? Clearly they do

    son of lanka Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:31 PM

    Absolutely brilliant SIR !!

    Tiron Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:33 PM

    Never afraid SL Army, well done son we always with you.

    Mahila Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:34 PM

    Show them the Sovereignty of Sri Lanka. No more Dominion or Colony of the BE. Well done Sir.

    mali Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:37 PM

    Though this gesture is not ethical to a Government representative at a diplomatic mission, those who play to the gallery will use this for election campaign. MS played well to the present tune.

    Ranga Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:38 PM

    woooop,Finally Mr. President has back-bone

    mali Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:42 PM

    Its not backbone, but election-bone.

    Raj Wednesday, 07 February 2018 03:55 PM

    Only time a Srilankan politician get a BONER is during election time!

    Mandayan Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:47 PM

    Presidential direction was for him to continue to work with the Army. He can’t work in London due to the request made by FCO of UK.

    Piyarathna Bandara Wednesday, 07 February 2018 03:45 PM

    Tel me please what is the wrong with our serviceman. Show the national flag is it a wrong? Behading gesture means that all servicemen are bound to sacrifice their lives for the country.what is wrong with it. What is the DCP of UK? Is it suprim than our constitution.

    Lasanth Kahawela Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:50 PM

    Well done Sir. This is the way the leaders should act.

    Nana Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:58 PM

    Crazy enough, When there were peaceful protesters why do we have to offer such ugly gestures. Showing to world that we are thuggish nation. This is bad behavior not patriotism. Also such a gesture dont demand somebody to loose a job or recall just a warning. Also UK parliament is not UN to talk about all these.

    Kumara Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:40 PM

    You are correct in saying peaceful demonstration should be allowed to proceed without provoking gestures. This matter and general political situation will be taken up at UK Parliament to educate UK MPs. Colombo will be under pressure!

    Duminda Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:59 PM

    Hand or leg gestures are not counted as crimes or wrongs..having said that I preferred if he did not try to talk to those tamil thugs at all.. those thugs are no worth of attention by him..

    Saman Wednesday, 07 February 2018 02:02 PM

    Correct decision even though president is playing for the popular votes. If the banned LTTE supporters can express themselves he too can do the same. Ethical aspect of a diplomat is a different story.

    Malith Wednesday, 07 February 2018 02:07 PM

    @daliymirror, Y u only posted this gesture, please post the other gesture too which he is pointing the flag of Sri Lanka.....

    Unchikun Wednesday, 07 February 2018 02:49 PM

    Now he has to. Stop the big talk on international support. Time he and MR join hands and carry on regardless. This country is one big joke.

    Simon Wednesday, 07 February 2018 02:53 PM

    Proud of you soldier for being so bold and unafraid. Not looking back on the consequence of your actions you displayed true patriotism from the bottom of your heart. Yes Maithree is our President who always walk the talk with sincerity.

    MISHAL-MATARA Wednesday, 07 February 2018 02:58 PM

    Thanks to the social media he is back to work, බ්‍රිගේඩියර් ප්‍රියංක ප්‍රනාන්දු හට සුබපතනවා එකසිතින් ශ්‍රී ලාංකිකයෙක් ලෙස

    RAVI Wednesday, 07 February 2018 03:02 PM

    It is a political move by the President for his vote base. His diplomat visa will be cancelled and he will be send back to Srilanka to continue his cut-throat services.

    Roman Wednesday, 07 February 2018 03:28 PM

    ''Human rights laws could change for terror fight'' - Theresa May

    vithura Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:04 PM

    Regardless of this Presidential directive this individual by his gestures of murderous intent, is very likely to be refused diplomatic stay by the host government and be categorised as 'undesired' thus be refused any future entry to the UK. .

    pumal Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:11 PM

    Please don't play to the Gallery

    Ceynolese Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:37 PM

    Simply, brilliant.

    Anja Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:41 PM

    Only election is over via DM Android App

    Satha Wednesday, 07 February 2018 04:45 PM

    Wait and see 11 feb

    Guna Wednesday, 07 February 2018 05:04 PM

    He is not there to represent the country, but to provide professional services. He too can express himself. What if the cook came out waving the kitchen knife. Would there be a hue

    Kumar Wednesday, 07 February 2018 05:17 PM

    Imagine if this Brigadier was a leader to one of the parade participated in the 70th Independent day and had shown this type of gesture to the viewers’ gallery, what would have happened? There is no doubt that this kind of behaviours will bring discredit to the Srilanka.

    Dr.Siri Wednesday, 07 February 2018 06:00 PM

    Education matters!! Ignorant

    PM Hora Wednesday, 07 February 2018 06:03 PM

    Simply it was amazing sir. My heartiest gratitude to you sir.

    Martin Milton Wednesday, 07 February 2018 06:06 PM

    One does not know the whole truth here. Hence it would be wise to let matters be. From past experience of pro LTTE supporters burning Sri Lankan flags, intimidation and other terrible things they do, also their very threatening gestures on all and sundry around especially if they were Sinhalese, this would not be so unfounded. Leave this man alone.President is right. MM

    bandula Wednesday, 07 February 2018 06:10 PM

    what ever has happened in the SL High Commission Premises that is subject to Sri Lankan Law.

    dIREsTRAITS Thursday, 08 February 2018 11:06 AM

    First of all, this guy is an idiot for doing iwhat he did as that is what those against a peaceful Sri Lanka wanted and he handed it on a platter. As a senior official representing Sri Lanka he should've known better. Also to those how are cheering him, you people are so shallow and have no self esteem. The out come was that the Sri Lanka forces defeated a terrorist organization in 2009 which was great for the country. There is no need to gloat about it and wave hands and legs like monkeys despite 9 years having passed. It's a fact! Get over it and build an inclusive peaceful and prosperous nation for all citizens. There will be a few idiots on either side as we can see in the video.

    Kato Thursday, 08 February 2018 06:48 PM

    If the outrage is about symbolism, then the LTTE flags and protestors wearing garments with the LTTE leader’s face representing mass murder of innocent civilians including babies is far worse than a throat slitting gesture. The UK politicians need to view this in the overall context.

    gunda Saturday, 10 February 2018 08:05 PM

    Brig.welldonekeep marching like a lion no more bloodshedwe had enough.ltte is dead peace was born

    Kanthi Korale Sunday, 11 February 2018 01:52 PM

    Well-done Brg. If you will investigate deeper, you will find the truth. how can the terrorism group which had been banded internationally, can protest in UK. It is request to review the protesters identity by UK government.

    KITH Sunday, 11 February 2018 02:23 PM

    Well, no wonder British establishment still thinks Sri Lanka indeed is British Colony when our dumb leaders invite British Royalty as Chief Guest of Independance celebrations


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