Brig. Fernando, former Defence Attache, to face re-trial for throat-cut gesture tomorrow

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando, the former Sri Lankan Defence Attache in London will face a new trial tomorrow (Oct 18) for making throat slitting gestures towards a group of protestors last year.

The International Centre for Prevention and Prosecution of Genocide (ICPPG), in a statement, said that Brigadier Fernando, had been found guilty of two charges by the Westminster Magistrate’s Court, in January this year, but had not been present for the hearing.

“He was convicted of intending to and causing harassment, alarm and distress with his gestures, which were made after he had taken photos and videoed Tamil protestors,” the ICCPG which assisted the protestors to file the case said in the statement.

Brigadier Fernando, while on duty, had made cut-throat gestures to a group of people engaged in a protest outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, on Sri Lanka's Independence Day on February 4.

The ICCPG said that the arrest warrant issued had been withdrawn after the British Foreign Office had intervened, citing issues as to whether the Brigadier was immune from prosecution due to diplomatic immunity.

However, court had held that the job description of Brigadier Fernando required him to "strictly adhere" to "personal behaviour and professional standards", the ICCPJ added.

The statement noted that the Westminster Magistrate’s Court has fixed the case for a summary trial tomorrow, after the case had been postponed twice, since court, on May 07 had quashed the convictions, and ordered a re-trial of the case.