Bond probe gets off  to confusing start

Officials at the Commission of Inquiry to probe the Central Bank bond scam have made a blunder in the very first official announcement calling for public representations.

The headline of the notification says “Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire……” In the text of the notification too there are references to both “Presidential Commission” and “Commission of Inquiry.”

Obviously, the officials do not seem to be aware that the Presidential Commission and the Commission of Inquiry are two different entities.
The Commission of Inquiry Act was enacted in 1952 whilst the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Act was formulated in 1983.
Needless to say, the notification has caused considerable confusion in the minds of the public and even in sections of the media. If the notification is anything to go by, there are two different commissions.

However, President Maithripala Sirisena signed a warrant only for a Commission of Inquiry.