Trainee journalist's death: IOM chief trying to leave the country ?

by Thava Sajitharan

The funeral of the 21 year old radio trainee journalist who died in a road accident took place on Thursday in Ambalangoda. Rashika Prasadini, was travelling in a vehicle which was involved in a collision with another vehicle owned and driven by the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Christopher Gascon.

The accident occurred at the Horton Place - Kynsey Road Junction, Colombo on December 6. Rashika Prasadini attached to V FM, who was seriously injured in the accident died on December 19.

Meanwhile, the News Director of the radio station Kulasiri Kariyavasam alleged that the Chief of Mission of the IOM was trying to leave the country before a final verdict was given by the court on the accident.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, he said he had received reliable information that Gascon was to take wing yesterday. Kariyavasam also said that Gascon refused to come to court at the first hearing which was held on December 15 on the grounds that he had diplomatic status. "He declined to undergo a medical check to find if he had consumed alcohol while he was driving".

However, a press release issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on December 19 in this regard stated that Gascon had "agreed to remain in the country until the investigations were completed".

Nonetheless, Kariyavasam said "we are not satisfied with the actions of the Foreign Ministry also. They seem to be trying to defend the IOM chief"

When we contacted the IOM Colombo to get Gascon's version on this issue first we were told "he is not in his seat at the moment". Later the public relations officer of the IOM who responded to the call promised to get back to us after consulting with Gascon but never did so.

The next hearing of the case is on January 5.