Foreign Affairs Secretary summons High Commissioner of Malaysia

The Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, 5 September to express the condemnation of the Government of Sri Lanka, on the assault carried out by a group of persons on 4 September, on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, in a restricted area of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, while he was in the process of carrying out his official duties. 

Expressing disappointment that the Malaysian authorities had failed to provide necessary protection to Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner despite the High Commission bringing  to the notice of relevant Malaysian authorities, the need for such protection, in the face of mounting protests especially in the last few days, the Secretary conveyed to the High Commissioner that the Government of Sri Lanka insists that immediate and swift action is taken to identify the perpetrators and take legal action to the fullest extent of the law; while also taking immediate measures to provide adequate security for the Sri Lanka High Commissioner, including assigning a Personal Security Officer; providing adequate security to the staff of the High Commission, the official residence and the Chancery premises; as well as the Buddhist temple in Sentul, where an incident took place. 

The High Commissioner of Malaysia expressed the deepest regret of the Government of Malaysia regarding the incident and informed that the Malaysian law enforcement authorities had already arrested five suspects involved in the incident, and that legal action would be taken against the perpetrators. He assured that the Ministry would be apprised of the details of the investigations, and that appropriate security would be provided, as requested. The High Commissioner also conveyed the deep regret over the incident at the temple in Sentul and informed that steps have been taken since, to provide appropriate security to the temple.

The Ministry will provide further updates when available.

Five arrested over attack on Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian police said Monday they have arrested five people over the Sunday's attack on Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner was assaulted by a group of persons at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday leaving him with minor injuries.

"Five people have been arrested and we are investigating the motive for the attack," Selangor state  Chief of Police Abdul Samah Mat told AFP.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the five arrested, aged between 27 and 56, were picked up around Selangor, Perak and Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Four others are being hunted on suspicion of being involved in the assault against the envoy.

The attackers were reportedly protesting the visit of Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to Malaysia. Malaysian authorities however, have not given any details on the identities or background of the attackers.