President revokes suspension of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando

President Maithripala Sirisena has revoked the suspension of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando from duties as the Minister Counsellor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake was quoted by the government news portal as saying.

He said the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) had sent a letter to the Brigadier seeking justification for his actions during the incident.

The army will provide its fullest support to any inquiry initiated by the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK regarding the incident, he told Ada Derana. However, suspending him from services without an inquiry is unacceptable, he added.

However, the government news portal said  the President has revoked the suspension and has ordered to reinstate the Brigadier to the position.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced that the Minister Counsellor (Defence) was suspended with immediate effect and that inquiries will be initiated into the alleged incident involving him.

A video had appeared on social media depicting Brigadier Priyanka Fernando making a certain gesture aimed at members from the Tamil community who were engaging in a protest outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on Sunday (4), as Sri Lanka marked the 70th anniversary of independence.