UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said Chris Nonis, former Sri lankan High commissioner to the UK who was allegedly assaulted by Parliamentarian Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, should have lodged a complaint with the New York Police soon after the incident.

“There is no point in lamenting over the assault. Had he lodged a complaint with the New York police, there would have been a prosecution. That is the only way to trigger a proper investigation into the incident,” the UNP Parliamentarian told ‘Asian Mirror’.

The Parliamentarian, who was the Deputy Foreign Minister under the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, said the incident has compelled diplomats working for the government of Sri Lanka to learn martial arts to protect themselves from politicians.

“As a political party we can do very little about this. After all we are not a prosecuting body. It is the government that has to take strong action with regard to this incident. But it is naïve to believe that the government will be serious about its investigation into the alleged assault by Sajin Vaas Gunawardena. In all likelihood, the ruling party Parliamentarian will go scot-free,” Kiriella added.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that it has accepted the resignation of Dr. Nonis as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. It is still not clear whether Dr. Nonis will be appointed to a new position by the government. Reportedly, Dr. Nonis had spoken to some of his close associates after the incident and expressed serious concerns over the matter.

External Affairs Ministry has reportedly asked Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner to the Maldives Dr. Chanaka H. Talpahewa to take over as chargé d'affaires in London, after the resignation of Dr. Chris Nonis