SINGHALESE REBELS BARRICADE THE UN STAFF IN COLOMBO

Singhalese rebels, sponsored by the Sri Lankan government, and organized by the Sri Lankan Minister of Housing, Construction, and Engineering Services and National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa, are at the UN premises in Colombo barricading the UN staff in the compound. Associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq at the press briefing today (06) said the UN is seriously concerned over the situation which prevented the staff and visitors to the UN office from entering or leaving the premises.

The UN staff had been able to leave the compound by the end of the day as the second episode of the drama, after the intervention of the government. However the protestors remain at the premises. Minister Weerawansa was threatening to take the UN staff hostage in protest of the UN panel of experts appointed by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Meanwhile the protestors have vowed to continue their struggle until the UN Chief revokes the panel he appointed to advise him on Sri Lanka’s accountability issues during the last stages of war with Tamil civilians

Farhan Hag said he was not certain whether the Secretary-General would make a statement on the incident. At the end of the day the police authorities have provided the security to the staff to leave the complex and few senior officials have remained in the office.