The appeal made to the UK High Court by Major General Priyanka Fernando, the former Minister Counsellor (Defence) of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, against the judgement of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on him was allowed today (19 March). In the judgement handed down by the High Court, it decided in favour of Maj. Gen. Fernando and quashed his conviction by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 December 2019 and acquitted him. The UK High Court also draws the danger of the threat to the efficient performance of diplomatic functions which arises from the risk of trumped up or baseless allegations and unsatisfactory tribunals. The UK High Court further says that the doctrine of diplomatic immunity affords protection to all diplomatic staff in the UK in exchange for the equivalent protection afforded to the UK’s diplomatic staff abroad. The High Court judges also decided that the Chief Magistrate of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court was not right in her determination that Major Genneral Fernando was not covered by residual immunity when he faced trial at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the statement said.

Source: The Nation March 19, 2021 19:06 UTC