By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed dismay at the continued protests outside the UN offices in Colombo, describing the situation as “unacceptable”.
“The Secretary-General finds it unacceptable that the Sri Lankan authorities have failed to prevent the disruption of the normal functioning of the UN offices in Colombo as a result of unruly protests led by a cabinet minister,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.
“In light of the evolving situation, Ban is recalling the UN resident Coordinator Neil Buhne to New York for consultations,” Xinhua quoted Haq as saying.
The secretary-general has also decided to close the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Centre in Colombo, he said.
“The Secretary-General calls upon the government of Sri Lanka to live up to its responsibilities towards the UN as host country, so as to ensure continuation of the vital work of the organisation to assist the people of Sri Lanka without any further hindrance,” he added.
The protests, which began Tuesday, have escalated Thursday with Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa starting a hunger strike.
The cabinet minister who organised the protests is demanding the abolition of a UN advisory panel on alleged war crimes during the last stages of the island’s military conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels.
The Sri Lankan government said Thursday it is seeking a rapid end to the crisis.
However, Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris said the government would not obstruct any peaceful protest.