Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia was reportedly assaulted by a group of protestors, amidst continued demonstrations against former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the country.
The High Commissioner, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, was at Kuala Lumpur airport on Sunday to see off Sri Lankan MP Dinesh Gunawardena, who had accompanied Mr Rajapaksa to Malaysia. The protestors reportedly surrounded the Sri Lankan official and demanded to know the whereabouts of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who they accuse of committing genocide.
When Mr Ansar failed to provide an answer, the protestors assaulted him. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka is taking all necessary action in this regard through diplomatic channels," read an official government statement from Colombo, which condemned the assault.
The incident comes amid continued protest against the former Sri Lankan president outside the Putra World Trade Centre. “Tamils in Malaysia are strongly protesting the invitation extended to the War Criminal who had committed numerous crimes against humanity and demand for his immediate deportation,” said a statement by the protestors. Politicians from both the ruling Barisan Nasional and the opposition Democratic Action Party joined protests against Mr Rajapaksa on Friday.
