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Brig. Fernando’s matter raised in British parliament

23 February 2019 02:37 pm - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The matters involving Brigadier Priyanka Fernando and the nature of the role the British Government played in his departure to Sri Lanka has been raised in the British Parliament last Thursday.

MP Stephen Morgan asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department played in the departure of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando from Britain.

The MP also asked what discussions his Department has had with the Sri Lankan High Commission on the conduct of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando since January 21, 2019.

In response, British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field said the British Government which was deeply concerned by the incident involving the Sri Lankan Defence Attaché last year, made immediate representations to the Sri Lankan Government.

“I called Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana on February 8, 2018 about the matter to raise his concerns. The Defence Attaché was recalled by his government soon after. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which is not a party to the legal proceedings referred to, was contacted by Westminster Magistrate's Court seeking clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status in the UK at the time of the incident. The FCO has provided documentation to assist the court,” he said.

He said Britain was committed to upholding the rule of law including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Field said the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka met th Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary on January 24, at the Secretary's request.

“At this meeting, the Secretary communicated his government's view that the Brigadier enjoyed diplomatic immunity at the time of the incident. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Britain met the Head of South Asia Department of FCO on February 1 to discuss a range of bilateral issues. He confirmed that the FCO was not party to the legal proceedings, but had offered clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status at the request of the court,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 22

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  • Mrs Malini Perera Saturday, 23 February 2019 03:52 PM

    Disgrace to SL for sending an uncultured person to UK to represent SL

    Sheri Saturday, 23 February 2019 04:25 PM

    Still harping on this? What about the ltte terrorist-supporters with flags of a banned terrorist organisation - why were they there in the first place? Shame on you FCO to even consider bringing this to court? Isn't there important issues for you all to get on with than hounding this brave diplomat who was standing up against the taunting terrorist supporters? How would the British Government have acted if it was ISIS?

    Samson Saturday, 23 February 2019 07:36 PM

    Why is it that many things apply to SL. UK and US can even go to countries and kill people.

    Jayt Saturday, 23 February 2019 10:04 PM

    It is because sinhalese are acting Modayas. Judeo-christian United front will try their last-diget attemtpt to hide Palestine Robbery and target many countries as much as possible to cover the ozone layer with propaganda in order to cover up palestaine related wars- Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya Somala, Algeria etc.

    Venus Vinayagaratnam Sunday, 24 February 2019 02:23 AM

    Will any other country will allow to trample their national flag the way those unruly men did?

    Vignesh Sunday, 24 February 2019 04:03 AM

    Because they kill , do you want kill people?

    Jayt Saturday, 23 February 2019 09:14 PM

    We also, have to work to demand all western countries sent bogus refugees sent backs because India is sending Tamil who are originally Indian. And if India can send Tamil wh6 are cousins of Tamil badu, now it is time for western countries send Tamil back. Second, we have to demand western countries hand over thousands of Tamil tigers to Sri Lanka to stand trials for thousands of bombings in Sri Lanka. This is also, part of reconciliation. Moreover. All Tamil have to stand trial and tell the public why they sent Israelis into Sri Lanka by CIA and why west told India to smuggle Tamil into west. This hearing should take place in New York where UN headquarters are. Al'so , palestain and other war crimes must be included.

    Bandu Saturday, 23 February 2019 09:55 PM

    The Brigadier was inside the SL Embassy which is regarded as sovereign territory of client country. So full diplomatic immunity is conferred on the Brigadier.

    R, Soysa Saturday, 23 February 2019 09:58 PM

    "Committed to law and order",!! "To raise the concerns of Marapana", and "committed to maintain law and order". This is their way of assuring the Tamil diaspora who vote for these guys that their place is forever safe. The basic decency to, in the first instant not to allow that dreaded LTTE flag to be flown on the Independence Day......... ! I really wish that these jokers will one day eat their own words and then vomit it out.

    senaka malleappah Sunday, 24 February 2019 12:01 AM

    Officer and a hooligan?

    harma Sunday, 24 February 2019 12:35 AM

    hemust sent to jail in UK.

    Michael Sunday, 24 February 2019 09:44 AM

    You should goto jail for been a terrorist haraka

    Jude Sunday, 24 February 2019 10:04 AM

    Hey harma, get real!! You should be sent to Toilet Nadu !!??

    Lester jay Sunday, 24 February 2019 04:09 AM

    Please try and understand how damaging and devastating this separatism ideology to Sri Lanka. The country is not moving forward at all. Britishers must take the responsibility for that as they started it all during colonisation period.

    Kumar Shanthi Sunday, 24 February 2019 04:40 AM

    Why these British fellows cannot leave Sri Lanka alone. They allow these Tamil diaspora to display the flag of the banned LTTE terrorist in public, but point their fingers at others.This I all because of our spineless Foreign Ministry. Sri Lanka needs a brave Foreign Minister like Mr. Lakshman Kadiragamar.

    Jude Sunday, 24 February 2019 10:13 AM

    Hey it's evident that Few European parliamentarians are on payroll of Tamil Diaspora!! Think about this!!!, In African continent lots of countries effected by atrocities and the human rights situation appalling!!! However, No one pays these Europeans to look into the grave situation!! Huh !!!

    Patrot Sunday, 24 February 2019 09:05 AM

    He should know no one cannot threat terrorists in UK! You should know what's punishment.

    Baila Sunday, 24 February 2019 09:44 AM

    He is innocent send all LTTE terrorist

    RAJIV JAYATHAS Sunday, 24 February 2019 10:27 AM

    This officer has served in the Sri Lankan Army for many years... However when faced directly with LTTE supporters and sympathizers in a non combat situation away from home ground, He forgot that he is wearing the uniform which represents the Sri Lankan army which is considered by many including former President Rajapaksa and as an extremely disciplined force... Do you think he acted with discipline...? One definition of discipline... the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience. Who should be more disciplined...? An Army officer who is on official duty or protesters.... Sri Lanka as a nation will go forward only when and if we learn to actually be disciplined and accept mistakes and correct them openly.... 1) President Sirisena was a huge mistakes i helped make... 2) Former President Rajapaksa was no different.... running and selling Sri Lanka as if he owned it.... 3) Present PM should retire for sure....

    Jaliya B. Sunday, 24 February 2019 11:20 AM

    Lester jay, Why is that British should be responsible for anything ? Arn't you responsible for your own actions ? It is always the others to blame for being in a such poor state of economically, politically and technologically ..... same old aboriginal ways of life. It’s me and my self … is as always ... hell with everyone else.

    JK Hatton Sunday, 24 February 2019 02:05 PM

    An ignorant officer of his profile as a diplomat. But locally he is recognized as a hero for some.

    Dayawathie Sunday, 24 February 2019 03:37 PM

    What about Adel Balasingham who was a mentor to child soldiers and distributing suicide pills in the North of Sri Lanka living freely in UK smelling roses ?.


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