Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella gave conflicting answers when queried about Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for the UK Dr. Chris Nonis’s resignation, heating up the Cabinet press briefing today.

When questioned regarding the incident Rambukwella initially told journalists that Dr. Nonis had in fact sent his resignation letter to the Ministry of External Affairs but was unsure whether it had been accepted. Rambukwella said he understood the incident to be a ‘personal misunderstanding’ that had ended up being a ‘heated argument’ between the concerned parties.

Rambukwella said he had not received any information regarding an assault. Nevertheless, if such a thing had indeed occurred, authorities would investigate the matter, he emphasized.

Minister Rambukwella also admitted he did not know whether Minister of External Affairs, Professor G.L. Peiris had brought up the issue at today’s Cabinet meeting as the meeting had begun earlier than it was originally scheduled The meeting had been originally scheduled for 10.30am but it had started about 45 minutes early at 9.45am due to the swearing in finishing early. However, a number of ministers had arrived for the meeting only at around 10.30am.

However, when pressed for more information, Rambukwella called Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris. He had confirmed to Rambukwella that he did not bring up the alleged incident during the Cabinet meeting. He had also been late in arriving.

However, Prof. Peiris informed Rambukwella Dr. Nonis had still not submitted an official letter of resignation to him or the ministry.

Thereafter, Minister Rambukwella was forced to retract his earlier statement saying that he believed Dr. Nonis had officially resigned from his post as high commissioner to the UK.

He apologized from journalists saying his earlier reply was based on media reports.