The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and inquire into Alleged irregularities in connection with Sri Lankan Airlines Limited, SriLankan Catering Limited and Mihin Lanka (Private) limited has responded to a news article appearing on the front page of this newspaper last Sunday, July 22, under the headline: Sri Lanakan Airlines Commission reveals mega deals for Mahinda-backed advertiser.
The letter from the Commission, signed by Secretary to the Commission N. Ariyadasa Cooray states that the news report had erred in stating that the Attorney General’s Department failed to respond to the respective witness on her queries as to how to obtain witness protection.
“The second part of the said item of news is highly misleading and incorrect. It is stated that the witness Priyadarshini Epitawela before the commission testified that there had been no response from the Attorney General’s Department to her request for Witness Protection”, the letter from the Commission noted. The Commission said proceedings of the day had been closely examined and the witness had not made such an utterance blaming the Attorney General’s Department in the manner recorded in the newspaper, the clarification read.
Editor’s Note: While it may not be reflected in the record maintained by the Commission, the transcript of the conversation between the witness Priyadarshini Epitawela and Commissioner Justice Anil Gooneratne about fears for her life and career was recorded and reported by one of two journalists present during the sittings and is already in the public domain through at least two news sources.
Not only did the witness indicate she had requested protection and not received a response, but the transcript recorded by journalist present at the sittings reflects that Justice Gooneratne responded to the witness, urging her to seek witness protection under the law and said the Commission would take the matter up at a later sitting.