Don’t take alleged attack on Nonis seriously: Keheliya

11 October 2014 02:36 am

Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the unfortunate incident where an Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in London was allegedly attacked took place at a private party and at a private residence and therefore it is not something to be taken seriously.  

“If this incident happened at an official function, it will be a matter of concern for the people, the Government and the media. There is no need to be agitated as it was a private matter that took place at a private residence,” he said.

Referring to the alleged assault in New York on Dr. Chris Nonis by External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardana, the minister said Dr. Nonis was an uninvited guest at the party.  

He requested the media not to internationalise the alleged assault on September 24 at the residence of SriLankan Airline Country Manager Dilan Ariyawansa.
He told the weekly cabinet news briefing yesterday that there was no attack on anybody but only a heated argument.

“It was a private party and Dr. Nonis had not been invited by Mr. Ariyawansa. But he was warmly welcomed when he went to the party. The argument between Sajin and Dr. Nonis had started duringthe heat of the moment when the guests were high on liquor. There was no attack on any one,” the minister said.

He said the External Affairs Ministry Secretary in her statement had also said there was no attack on Dr. Nonis as alleged and the ongoing investigation being carried out on the orders of President Mahinda Rajapaksa would unearth what actually happened at this private party.

The minister lamented that a section of the media was attempting to internationalise the incident and added that the Government had still not decided on the appointment of a new High Commissioner to London.(Sandun A Jayasekera)