Further hearing of case against Brig. Fernando on Nov 19

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Westminster Magistrate’s Court, has ordered that further hearing of the case filed against Brigadier Priyanka Fernando, accused of making cut-throat gestures towards protestors in London, will take place on November 19.

Brig. Fernando, the former Sri Lankan Defence Attache in London, while on duty, had been filmed making cut-throat gestures to a group of protestors outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, on February 4 last year.

Earlier, the Westminster Magistrate’s Court had withdrawn an arrest warrant on Brig, Fernando “citing a series of procedural flaws”, and had also quashed the convictions against him, ordering a re-trial of the case.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said that witnesses appearing for the prosecution had made submissions before court, during the re-trial of the case on Oct 18. The accused will make its case during the next hearing.

“The Government of Sri Lanka continues to maintain that Brigadier Fernando as a diplomat who was attached to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London is entitled to diplomatic immunity,” the Foreign Ministry’s statement read.