Sri Lanka’s former Defence Attache to Britain, Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was recalled to Colombo for his own safety, Army Commander Lt Gen. Mahesh Senanayake said yesterday.
The move was a “tactical redeployment”, the Army Commander said, during a ceremony to declare open the new office complex for the 56 Division in the Wanni.
“As Army Commander I must ensure my officers’ safety. In this case, Brigadier Fernando cannot be left to the mercy of foreign jurisdictions.
It is better for him to be away from the scene,” Lt. Gen. Senanayake said.
Brigadier Fernando was at the center of a controversy after video footage emerged of him allegedly making a throat-slitting gesture at protestors bearing LTTE flats outside the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
“Someone else would have to decide if what he did was right or wrong,” the Army Commander said.
“My concern is how to keep him safe when he is working outside the country,” he added.