No other Lankan nominated for UN top job - Foreign Minister

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday categorically stated that no other Sri Lankan's name has been put forward for the post of UN Secretary General.

Former Peace Secretariat Chief and Advisor to the President Jayantha Dhanapala has been officially announced as Sri Lanka's candidate.

At a news briefing held yesterday, Minister Samaraweera said: "Sri Lanka has only one candidate and that is Jayantha Dhanapala. His candidature has already been submitted to the UN Security Council by the Government of Sri Lanka. We have not heard of any other Government nominating any other Sri Lankan for the post of UN Secretary-General."

The Minister was responding to a media query as to whether the candidature of another person claiming to be a Sri Lankan has been announced for the Secretary General's post.