More British parliamentarians have joined the call for Sri Lanka’s Defence Attaché to the United Kingdom to have his diplomatic immunity revoked, as uproar after the Sri Lankan official repeatedly made a throat-slitting gesture towards the Tamil protesters in London continues
Theresa Villiers, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, released a statement on Friday stating, “I strongly condemn the actions of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando directed at peaceful Tamil protesters”.
“His actions have caused real distress to a number of my Tamil constituents, a number of whom fled Sri Lanka because of threats and mistreatment by the Sri Lankan military,” she added.
“I have written to the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary requesting that Brigadier Priyanka Fernando have his diplomatic immunity removed so his actions can be investigated.”
Her call is the latest of British parliamentarians to call for Brigadier Fernando’s diplomatic immunity to be revoked and for an investigation into his actions.
See the full text of her statement here.
The MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon said he fully endorsed a letter sent by the chair of the All Parliamentary Group for Tamils, Paul Scully to Boris Johnson calling for the Brigadier to be expelled.
"I fully endorse @paulscullymp's letter to the Foreign Secretary. The alleged behaviour by this individual is quite shocking. If found to be true, the Foreign Secretary should make it clear that this man is not welcome in the UK," Mr Halfon tweeted.
