Tamil group urges action on Sri Lankan Brigadier Priyanka Fernando

Feb 08, 2018 (LBO) – A group called Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam has urged UK Government not to allow Brigadier Priyanka Fernando from leaving to face war crimes charges in UK. Fernando making throat-slitting gestures at protesters outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day sparked debate. Brigadier Fernando, who was suspended by the Foreign Ministry over the alleged incident, has been reinstated on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena. Sri Lanka Army said there will be no disciplinary action against Brigadier Fernando with regard to this alleged incident. “We strongly urge you not to allow Sri Lankan Brigadier Priyanka Fernando from leaving UK and initiate actions under universal jurisdiction.” Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam said. Meanwhile, UK Parliamentarian Joan Ryan says that she outraged that the Sri Lankan Government has lifted the suspension on Brigadier Fernando. “I've already spoken with Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field about this important matter,” Joan Ryan said in a twitter message. “Foreign & Commonwealth Office is making representations to Sri Lanka. We await further news.” Labour Member of Parliament Siobhain McDonagh has also said in a letter that the conduct of Brigadier was inappropriate being someone who is serving in an official capacity as a guest of the UK. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a proscribed international terrorist organization in UK since March 2001. Terrorism Act 2000 of UK identifies the LTTE as a terrorist group fighting for a separate Tamil state in the North and East of Sri Lanka.