Champika calls for probe on Nonis issue

Friday, 3 October 2014 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Government Minister and Leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Champika Ranawaka yesterday said an impartial investigation should be conducted into the matter concerning Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to London Chris Nonis, if a formal complaint has been made at the External Affairs Ministry. Speaking to reporters at a media briefing, Ranawaka said that Nonis played a crucial role for the country during the Commonwealth summit held in Sri Lanka last year where he made statements countering allegations raised against the Government. There have been reports that the High Commissioner had been assaulted by External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena at a function in the US recently. Ranawaka said that if the High Commissioner had formally raised the issue with the External Affairs Ministry, then the incident should be investigated. However, he said an investigation should not be conducted based purely on media reports and speculation. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) has also called for an investigation into the alleged incident. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, told reporters earlier this week that the External Affairs Ministry had not received a resignation letter from Nonis. Meanwhile, MP de Vass Gunawardena had called a press conference to brief the media on the allegations raised against him over the alleged incident yesterday but cancelled the press briefing at the last minute as he needed to leave for the Vatican. (Colombo Gazette)

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