Ban statement misleading

9 July 2010 06:20 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has misled the media and the public by giving the impression that the UNDP Regional Center situated in Sri Lanka had been closed as a result of the protest being carried out by Minister Wimal Weerawansa outside the UN country office in Colombo.

When contacted by Daily Mirror online today, a UN Colombo official clarified that preparations were underway for several months now to close down the UNDP Regional Center in Sri Lanka and it was not linked with Weerawansa’s protest.

However in a misleading short statement released by the Secretary General at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday, Ban Ki Moon had said he had decided to close down the UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo and was recalling the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Neil Buhne to New York for consultations.

However the UN Chief had failed to mention that the closing down of the UNDP Regional office had no connection what so ever to Weerawansa’s protest resulting in major news organizations and international wire services reporting that the UNDP office had been closed as a result of the tensions outside the UN Country office in Colombo.

When asked to clarify the connection between the UNDP Regional Center being closed, Neil Buhne being recalled and Weerawansa’s protest, a UN Colombo official said that all UN offices were continuing to function as normal and the shutting down of the UNDP Regional office had nothing to do with the ongoing issue outside the UN Country office in Colombo.

“To my knowledge it (closing the UNDP Regional Center) has nothing to do with this current issue because it has been on the cards for several months. It is not a new move. This UNDP Regional Center was located earlier in Kathmandu but because of the worsening security situation their during that time, the decision was taken to shift the Center to Colombo somewhere in 2006 or 2007. However within the last year a decision was taken, taking into consideration some administrative and financial concerns to downsize the regional center and to shift the main functions to the Bangkok office. This is not a new move as it has been on the card for several months,” a UN Colombo official explained.

The UN Secretary General by releasing a single statement regarding the UNDP office, Weerawansa’s protest and recalling Neil Buhne for consultations seems to have attempted to give the impression that he was giving a firm response not just by word but by action to show his anger towards the government’s failure to prevent the heated protests outside the UN Country Office in Colombo. (Daily Mirror online)

Ban Ki Moon’s statement released yesterday is as follows.

The Secretary-General finds it unacceptable that the Sri Lankan authorities have failed to prevent the disruption of the normal functioning of the United Nations offices in Colombo as a result of unruly protests organized and led by a cabinet minister of the Government.

In light of the evolving situation, he is recalling the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Neil Buhne, to New York for consultations. He has also decided that the UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo will be closed.

The Secretary-General calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to live up to its responsibilities towards the United Nations as host country, so as to ensure continuation of the vital work of the Organization to assist the people of Sri Lanka without any further hindrance.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

anura Friday, 09 July 2010 07:07 AM

UN or Mr.Moon has no authority to interfere in internal affairs of a country without mandate from the Security Council.This matter closed long time ago.As I always say.UN means Ultimately Nothing.

Laxhman Saturday, 10 July 2010 01:23 PM

Mr.Ban Ki Moon,
When the terrorist massacared and killed innocent civilians the Sinhalese and Tamils, where were you and why could'nt the UN make a single voice of this nature? Please accept that a small nation defeated one of world's terror organizations with a minimum casualties. The so called Tamil disapora is visiting their home after 20 to 30 years of exile.They are happy and thanking the government for brinning Peace to the war torn nation.You as the head of UN should understand the value of peace gained by the sacrifice of thousands of Sr Lankan Sinhalese and Tamils. It is time to help to develop peace and harmony, other than cultivating hatered and anger amongst the community. Please promote Peace than digging the garbage because of a few people who asked you to do so, for their personal gains.

raj Friday, 09 July 2010 04:06 PM

it is another proof to see the credibility of Sri Lanka when it comes to honesty in the words

Smart Aleck Friday, 09 July 2010 01:21 PM

Ban Ki Moon must be having some Sri Lankan ancestry.

kUKULBYE Friday, 09 July 2010 01:15 PM

Keep it Moon, we are expecting sun to rise soon

RajasH Friday, 09 July 2010 01:09 PM

it was on the card now firm decision made

Michael BVH Friday, 09 July 2010 07:34 AM

Double standards of Monkey Moon

Nan Friday, 09 July 2010 07:15 AM

BKM is the worst UN secretary general ever in my opinion. He just does not have a backbone. and not strategic at all.

Aiyo Aiyo Friday, 09 July 2010 07:14 AM

Confusion all round. Ideal for our people to live and die by a consipiracy.

g8 Friday, 09 July 2010 07:13 AM

Moon You are not the owner of UN, you have to follow five main members agreed decisions..

Hash Friday, 09 July 2010 06:24 AM

Tit for Ta by Ban Ki moon. He say's "Sri Lanka, you play dirty, then watch me playing dirty too". That's it for our international relationships I guess.

Sena2 Friday, 09 July 2010 07:04 AM

Doesn't the world body deserve a SG with a more mature outlook?

DeMel Friday, 09 July 2010 06:49 AM

Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s protest reflects the mood of the people of Sri Lanka over the unilateral action taken by Bank Ki Moon. He is playing with fire and Ban Ki Moon will certainly retaliate.

The UN Human Rights Council debated this issue and by a resounding majority accepted the explanation of the Government of Sri Lanka. That should have been the end of this issue. The Non-Aligned Movement should pass a resolution at the next session of the UN to restrict the right of the Secretary General to take unilateral action on any issue that has been dealt at any UN forum, without the sanction of the respective UN forum.

Ravi Friday, 09 July 2010 06:47 AM

Shame on you Moon. Good Luck VW.

shanthapriya Friday, 09 July 2010 06:45 AM

who actually played dirty first.

real man Friday, 09 July 2010 06:43 AM

WW is no one for Banki. It is like Sprats trying to dictate terms to Sharks. What a Country?

Raj Friday, 09 July 2010 06:38 AM

was closed in Kathmandu cos the place was not suitable in 1996 yes now closed in colombo because this place is not suitable and not safe ... its all interconnected and this wimal guy has contributed ... dont hang on words stick to the message... grow up

citizen1 Friday, 09 July 2010 06:36 AM

We, or might I say MR has been toying with the UN for long enough for them to throw in the towel.

NJ Friday, 09 July 2010 06:31 AM

Now I believe WM than BKM.

Josh Friday, 09 July 2010 06:27 AM

who is playing the fool with whome??

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Ban statement misleading

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident