27 April 2010 06:37 am
The United Nations has sought permission from the Sri Lankan government to facilitate a visit by UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe mid next month to discuss the developments in Sri Lanka.
While the purpose of Pascoe’s visit earlier was to discuss the appointment of the UN’s panel of experts, it is unsure if such discussions are still on the agenda.
A high ranking source from the United Nations in New York told Daily Mirror online that there have been no recent talks on the UN’s panel of experts and was unsure if such a panel would continue to be appointed. However the source confirmed that Pascoe has sought permission to visit Sri Lanka next month.
“Lyn Pascoe has asked to visit in the second week of May. There has been no confirmation yet,” the source said.
Sri Lanka’s Attorney General Mohan Peiris met UN Chief Ban Ki Moon in New York recently and held lengthy discussions. It is learnt that during these discussions, the two had discussed about the panel of experts.
Moon’s Spokesman, Martin Nesirky confirmed to journalists in New York last week that the two had met but failed to give details.
Meanwhile, according to the Inner City Press, at a UN reception thrown by Israel on April 20, Ban had told Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the UN Dr. Palitha Kohona “I am not against your government,” according to sources standing next to the two.
Dr. Kohona has predicted that no panel will ever be named, quipping that the UN should instead investigate the Vatican for pedophilia, the Inner City press reported.
A senior UN official indicated to Inner City Press on April 22 not to expect any movement on Ban's six week old commitment to name a panel on war crimes on Sri Lanka, even just to advice him. (Daily Mirror online)