Presidential Commission to probe Athukorale's death

Chief Government whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told Parliament yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to appoint a special Presidential Commission to investigate the sudden death of former UNP General Secretary and Ratnapura District MP Gamini Athukorale.

President Rajapaksa has made this decision paying special attention towards the statement made by Ratnapura District UNP MP Thalatha Athukorale regarding the pledges made on Presidential Commission to probe the sudden death of Gamini Athukorale.

Minister Fernandopulle told Parliament that President has conveyed his decision to the Government Parliament Group Meeting.

The Minister made this statement after Ratnapura district UNP MP Thalatha Athukorale raised a privilege issue regarding one sided media coverage given by State media regarding the issue on the appointing of Presidential Commission to probe into the death of Athukorale.

Athukorale said her Parliamentary previlege has been violated by giving publicity to Minister Jagath Pushpakumara's statement without giving equal publicity for her statement.