Clarification of Brigadier’s DPL status: UK providing documentation to assist court

The UK is providing documentation to assist the Westminster Magistrate’s Court which has sought clarification of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando’s diplomatic status in the UK, the British High Commission said.

“The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is not a party to these legal proceedings, have been contacted by the Westminster Magistrate’s Court, seeking clarification of the Brigadier’s diplomatic status in the UK at the time of the incident. We are providing documentation to assist the court. The UK is committed to upholding the rule of law including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the High Commission’s Spokesperson said.

The Westminster Magistrate's Court has issued an arrest warrant on Brigadier Fernando for allegedly violating the British Public Order Act. However, the notice had been later revoked.

The court case was filed against the Brigadier for allegedly making a threatening gesture at a group of pro-LTTE protesters outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on February 4 last year. He was the then Defence Attaché of the High Commission.

The High Commission’s Spokesperson said the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka and Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha met last Thursday and discussed the issue among others.

They said the UK Government was deeply concerned by the incident involving the Defence Attaché and made representations to the Sri Lankan Government.

“The Defence Attaché was recalled by his government soon after,” the Spokesperson said.