No disciplinary action against ‘slit throat’ brigadier summoned to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has confirmed that no disciplinary action will be taken against a military diplomat who threatened Tamil protesters in London with death.

Defence attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando who was filmed making a threatening throat slitting gesture had been summoned to Sri Lanka, for a “discussion with the army commander” said military spokesman Sumith Atapattu. 

Brigadier Fernando was initially suspended by the Sri Lanka ministry of foreign affairs on 6 February, only to be reinstated by a presidential directive in less than 24 hours.

Security concerns

Two weeks later, he has been requested to be in Sri Lanka by the army chief.

“This is not for any disciplinary action, this is not probe” Brigadier Sumith Atapattu told journalists in Colombo.

“We need to take care of his security. We need to check whether he can carry on with his duties under this situation. We need to think about the embarrassment to the country.”

No decision has been taken to replace Brigadier Priyanka Fernando as the defence attaché in the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, the army spokesman added.

© JDS