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President appoints commission to probe death of Soma Thera

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga appointed a three member Commission on Thursday, to inquire and report on the passing away of Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera under the Provisions of Section 2 of the Commissions of inquiry act.

A group of Bhikkhus from various parts of the island handed over a memorandum to the president on March 8 requesting her to appoint a Commission of inquiry as the circumstances relating to Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera caused a suspicion in the minds of the Buddhist public and thereby to disclose facts relating thereto.

Various other organisations and individuals had pointed out to the president the necessity of appointing a commission of inquiry.

The commission has been appointed in consequence to these requests under the chairmanship of Punyadasa Edirisuriya retired Supreme Court Judge.

The other members of the commission are consultant physician Dr. Mrs. Anula Wijesundara and Professor Mendis Rohanadheera.The commission has been given three months to inquire and reports and the terms of reference are as follows:

(a) Whether the death of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera was due to natural causes, if so the evidence confirming such a conclusion, if not the concrete and circumstantial evidence to support the condition that death was caused in any other manner.

(b) Any ailment/ ailments if any that the Ven. Soma Thera had before this death, especially during the period between his leaving the island and his death in Russia and medical evidence or reports that could be submitted in that regard.

(c) Whether there were any organisations or unorganised individuals responsible for creating an enmity towards the Ven. Soma Thera.

(d) The circumstances under which the Ven. Soma Thera visited Russia on or about October 11, 2003, the purpose of the visit was a private visit, if not who were the individuals or groups if any who were responsible for organising such visits and if not whether the visit was made completely volantarily by the Ven. Soma Thera.

(e)Whether there are reasons to believe that the death of Ven. Soma Thera was the result of some conspiracy or stratagem.

If so what evidence is there in that regard?

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