LTTE supporters disrupt UN World Health Assembly session in Geneva

Security alarms were automatically activated at the United Nations compound in Geneva interrupting the proceeding of the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday.

When Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the newly elected President of the WHA, was presiding the plenary and the high level delegate of the United States of America was in the process of delivering the speech.

According to the security division of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN in Geneva, the LTTE supporters who had been protesting outside the UN against the election of Health Minister de Silva of Sri Lanka as the President of the WHA, entered the UN compound through the main gates despite security resistance.

UN security at the gate 40 activated alarms and repeatedly announced to the UN staff and the delegates to remain inside the building. The Security personnel of the UN and the WHO took measures to disperse the protestors. Since Monday morning, LTTE supporters were protesting in front of the WHO headquarters carrying banners and shouting slogans against the election of the Sri Lankan Minister as the president of the WHA.

Director General of the WHO Dr. Margaret Chan, informed the plenary that some demonstrators had entered the compound but the situation was under control.

She also said that it is a common occurrence in Geneva to have protests in the Place des Nations.

Minister de Silva highlighted that the health issues of the internally displaced people are being given a high priority by the government.