Five detained over alleged assault of Sri Lankan envoy to Malaysia

BY NATASHA JOIBI

SEPANG: Five people have been arrested over the alleged assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.   

Selangor CID chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah confirmed the arrests but declined to divulge the details of the five individuals.  

The case is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting, he said Monday. 

Ansar was reportedly assaulted by a small group of people at KLIA on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry in a statement condemned the attack on its High Commissioner. 

“The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur is coordinating with local law enforcement authorities in Malaysia and other relevant local authorities to identify perpetrators and assist with investigations,” said the statement. 

Sri Lankan news portal Hiru News reported that the High Commissioner was assaulted at the airport after sending off Daya Gamage, the country’s Primary Industries Minister, who was in Malaysia for the International Conference of Asian Political Parties.

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa was also in Malaysia to attend the event.