Brig. Fernando fined for making cut throat gesture in UK

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando, Sri Lanka’s former Defence Attache in London has been fined around GBP 2400 (Rs 571,000), by a UK court, for making throat slitting gestures towards a group of protestors last year.

During a hearing at the Westminster Magistrate’s Court, the judge found Brigadier Fernando guilty under the Public Order Act, ruling his actions were “disreputable for a senior military officer”.

The former Defence Attache had made cut-throat gestures towards a group of protesters outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on February 4 last year.

Three individuals had petitioned court against the former Defence Attache arguing that his actions had caused “harassment, alarm, or distress”.

“I have no doubt that alarm was caused to all three (petitioners),” Emma Arbuthnot, Chief Magistrate at the Westminster Magistrate’s Court announced in her ruling.

Brigadier Fernando had made three gestures on purpose as he had been “staring at these protestors”, the ruling read. “Unlike the other senior officer there, his body language appeared to be arrogant and intimidating,” court ruled.

The judge also upheld a previous ruling that the former Defence Attache did not enjoy diplomatic immunity.

The former Defence Attache had not been present in court during today’s hearing. No arrest warrant was issued on the defendant by court.

Click here to see court ruling

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