SL minister counsellor in London suspended

6 February 2018 09:04 pm - 42 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Minister Counsellor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London has been suspended after a video, which showed him behaving in an offensive manner, was emerged and circulated on social media.

In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today the authorities in Sri Lanka have taken serious note of videos being circulated on social and web-based media of the alleged incident involving the Minister Counsellor (Defence) behaving in an offensive manner.

“In this connection, instructions have been sent to Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in London on Tuesday to suspend the Minister Counsellor (Defence) from work with immediate effect. Authorities in Sri Lanka including the Sri Lanka Army will initiate inquiries on the incident immediately,” it said.

The incident had 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, making a ‘cut-throat’ gesture towards the protesters. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 42

vithura Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:07 PM

Now, this is how governance should work and lets hope the individual in question will be disciplined for his action. There might be short comings in the present government, but it cannot be faulted for straying away from the accepted norms of civilian governance - well done!

RAVI Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:19 PM

Govt would have defended it as saying it was a fake video if this have happened in Srilanka.

Rajah Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:24 PM

Should bot he declared National Hero

Dagwood Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:33 AM

Mr. will do that!!

Tourist Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:26 PM

This military guy looks like an ape.

ransam Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:52 AM

So the LTTE diaspora shouting Praba as their leader look to you as saints

nick Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:26 PM

what an insult to our nation these sort of uneducated must not send to educated countries already they should be some public training... via DM Android App

Ranjith perera Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:29 PM

Even during the times we were ruled by England we were not so eager to please our masters.

Lankan Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:29 PM

Sad. For some people fights have ended in the streets but not in the hearts. Let saner counsel prevail

sinhabahu Tuesday, 06 February 2018 10:35 PM

I do not see any fault of doing a cut throat gesture as the people gathered there are LTTE Tigers not the decent Tamils of Sri Lanka.

tilak Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:43 AM

sinhabahu-are you from Hambantota

mali Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:39 AM

If we continue this trend this country will be full of cut throats. I am sure MR or GR would approve and applaud him.

sinhabahu Wednesday, 07 February 2018 11:36 AM

I am not from Hambanthota. I am a relative of veera puran Appu.

Vernon Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:28 AM

If the youths can protest, he also can show his protest in a non violent way. Nothing wrong

mali Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:41 AM

If this military guy was just a normal civilian it may be ok, but representing our country as minister counselor this is a third class attitude.He should not show off with a such a gesture.

Priyantha Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:33 AM

We salute you sir!!(southern Singhalese)

Gayan Wednesday, 07 February 2018 08:58 AM

Any action taken by UK for those holding LTTE flag during the protest?

Liberal One Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:02 AM

Foreign affairs ministry has conveniently forgotten that the so called youth were waving LTTE flags which is a banned organization even in UK

mali Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:42 AM

It is sad people forget the difference between a terrorist's gesture and government representation.

Liberal One Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:23 PM

@mali it is sad that any terrorist organization is allowed to function in western countries as long as the terror target is a poor country

pathum Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:05 AM

RIP Yahapalana Government. Just play until next presidential election.

peter Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:23 AM

Govt should find why UK does not take action against the LTTE group for gathering in front of our embassy.

kiarsha Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:23 AM

Democratic country. peaceful demo. that's why. freedom of expression. unlike former days in our country.

Thomas Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:26 AM

In a democratic country like UK, anyone can demonstrate against any foreign govt Embassy, that does not give the right to the Embassy staff to show a " CUT THROAT " sign or signal to the demonstratorsShame for the diplomats

ransam Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:23 AM

The problem is they are demonstrating in support of terrorist organization and its leader. Can Muslims in UK demonstrate supporting Osama or ISIS?

Liberal One Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:24 PM

In a democratic country you can certainly show a cut throat signal. Where in the penal code does it state that cut throat signal is illegal?

Sujith Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:26 AM

What he did was, he motion that he killed your "terrorist Leader" who they were chanting Prabakaran is their leader.

Unknown Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:30 AM

This government only knows help all other nations except The main sinhalese . They do any thing for terrorist for their votes .

Raj Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:33 AM

Hatred still prevail

alexi Wednesday, 07 February 2018 09:57 AM

I dont see any wrong in this action it was independence day celebrations and those idiots have no right to come and protest in front of a such an Important Event .if those people have the right to protest then we too have the right to show our displeasure .great work our defense counsellor . i would have done the same .these idiots who have left the country and now as citizens or refugees in another country trying to protest . too much democrazcy is called wla boori nidhasa .remove the suspension now and commend him for bravery .

panu Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:38 AM

alexi you are still living in stoneage, learn about democracy not Lankan shilalese demon cracey

Lord Wolfstein Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:06 PM

Alexi, you can bring the Sinhalese law of the jungle to the south of Sri Lanka but not to other countries.

ransam Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:16 PM

So for Panu, democracy means supporting terrorists who killed thousands of innocent civilians and recruited child soldiers

RAM Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:23 AM

Imagine how this military chap acted in the battle filed when he was leading a battalion in mullaithivu.

taniawilliam Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:48 AM

I dont see any wrong in this action!!!why those people carrying LTTE flags !!!?!!!They should have carrying SRI LANKAN NATIONAL FLAGS !!!

Sanjeewa Senevirathne Wednesday, 07 February 2018 11:27 AM

"group of Tamil youths" ?????.. :-) :-)Don't you have a backbone to state it as " LTTE supporters" or "supporters of Cruelest Terrorist in the World".....

Nanda Wednesday, 07 February 2018 11:35 AM

To the international community this is the srilankan style of democracy

abeyratne Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:00 PM

Respected president we need national hero like this hats off Brigadier priyantha will make you the minister of defence Hon Mahinda pl look into thisGive him a double promotion

MH Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:07 PM

two side to a story. they were taunting him and making obscene remarks to him and his family. why isn't there a camera at the crowd?

NK Nadesan Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:10 PM

Government can punish him for violating the law - But he stood up as a true and brave Sri Lankan, where he has to honour his nation and country - SALUTE him for his bravery!!!

pathirage Wednesday, 07 February 2018 12:16 PM

Alexi! You are correct. He is a hero who has a backbone.What else to do in front of these supporters of ruthless killer. Our great President Mahinda Rajapaksha defeated the world's most dangerous terrorist. and saved our motherland.

sundaram Wednesday, 07 February 2018 01:42 PM

and your great MR put the man who did this behind bars on false charges- that is typical sinhalese culture? 2500 years I guess

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SL minister counsellor in London suspended

Comments - 42

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