Mr. Jayantha denies reports that he failed to appear before the Commission

In a report published on Tuesday, Dinamina newspaper says that Poddala Jayantha has failed to appear before the presidential commission despite repeated requests to do so.

Jayantha, the general secretary of Sri Lankan Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) was kidnapped, brutally assaulted and left on the road by unidentified assailants on 01 June.

Dinamina story and Jayantha's response

He is still being treated for his injuries, he says, after being treated in the hospital for 29 days.

In a letter sent to the Commission on Tuesday, Poddala Jayantha says he is yet to receive any notice to appear before the Commission.

Commission confirms

"When I enquired with the Inspector at the Mirihana police station that conduct the investigation into the assault, I was told that he was not aware of any such call," the letter said.

	Mr. Jayantha was kidnapped, brutally assaulted and left on the road

Justice (rtd.) Mahanama Thilakaratne, the president of the Commission, told BBC Sandeshaya that the request for Poddala to appear was sent, and the police were informed about the request.

"Letters were sent in registered post, once or twice, asking him to appear before the court," he said.

"We can continue the investigation if he appears even tomorrow."

Admitting that he has changed his residency since the assault, Poddala Jayantha insists he is yet to receive any such letter.

He has expressed his willingness to appear before the Commission "as soon as I will be able to walk as I am still unable to walk even with the support of walking sticks".

The commission investigates incidents of abductions, disappearances, unexplained killings and unidentified bodies of persons.