The chairman earlier accused the Govt. of 'deliberately delaying' the probe

Chairman of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Serious Violations of Human Rights told BBC Sandeshaya that the Commission has received a circular from the government.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Nissanka Udalagama told BBC Sandeshaya that the secretary has resigned after receiving the circular from the Presidential Secretariat.

Secretary resigned

Rs. 10,000 has been reduced from each of the eight commissioner's monthly allowance, he said.

Commission Secretary's monthly allowance has also been reduced.

	Former FM assassination is among Commission's investigations

"They say (the government) it is to keep in with the new circular that they have issued to all commissions," Justice Udalagama told BBC Sinhala.com.

The Commission is yet to meet to discuss the impact of the decrease in the budget allocations, he added.

The Commission was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa last year to investigate 15 serious incidents including the killings of 17 aid workers in Muttur, in 2006.

Commission 'ineffective'

Assassinations of then Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, and Tamil MP Joseph Pararajasingham were among the other serious violations probed by the panel.

At present we are unable to function, until 11 February, because the halls we use to function as the commission is now closed because an exhibition going on Justice Nissanka Udalagama

The investigation however was accused of 'ineffective' and lacking progress by international panel of observers, headed by India's former Chief Justice, PN Bhagwathie.

The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) has also accused the Presidential Secretariat of trying to intervene into CoI investigations.

The government, however, denied the accusations.

BMICH office closed

Justice Udalagama added that the sittings were forced to be postponed due to a mega exhibition organised by the government in the BMICH.

	The TNA MP was killed on a Christmas eve in the east

"At present we are unable to function, until 11 February, because the halls we use to function as the commission is now closed because an exhibition going on," he said.

The government has decided to postpone the Deyata Kirula exhibition, organised to celebrate sixty years of independence, until 07 February due to bomb blasts in Colombo.

Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

President's media secretary, Chandrapala Liyanage, told BBC Sandeshaya that the Presidential Secretariat will clarify the issue on Thursday.