The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele is expected to give his evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Monday, February 22.

The Prime Minister was initially scheduled to give evidence on February 16 but was delayed due to the natural intervention of Cyclone Rene. In the meantime, he has submitted his affidavit and it is expected that his evidence would draw a full crowd to the Fa'onelua Convention Centre next week.

Meanwhile, the former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus was set to appear today, February 19, but he too is rescheduled for next week.

The inquiry is drawing near to its closure with the Final Report due on March 31, 2010. The Counsel Assisting Manuel Varitimos confirmed today, that on March 5 would be the final written submissions from counsel and on March 12 the inquiry would hear the oral submissions.