Last month Brigadier Fernando was found guilty of violating two sections of the Public Order Act and an arrest warrant was issued by the Magistrate’s Court. After diplomatic discussions opened between the two countries, Westminster Magistrate’s Court contacted the FCO which reportedly supplied court with a certificate confirming the Brigadier’s diplomatic status. Subsequently the arrest warrant and possibly the charges too, were withdrawn. At last Friday’s court hearing both Brigadier Fernando and the FCO were represented by legal counsel. The FCO is providing documentation to assist the court.”The case against Brigadier Fernando was filed many months after he left London having been instructed by Colombo to return home.

Source: Sunday Times February 02, 2019 23:26 UTC