Summoning Buhne for consultation:

UNSG has acted in ‘precipitant haste’ - External Affairs Minister

Irangika Range Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

United Nation’s Secretary General (UNSG) Ban Ki-Moon has acted in “precipitant haste” by asking UN Country Representative in Sri Lanka Neil Buhne to come to New York for consultation, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday.

The Minister said that Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe had been in constant touch with Buhne throughout Thursday and assured him the problem surrounding the UN office in Colombo would be resolved by yesterday afternoon.

Prof. Peiris also denied media reports that the UN was closing down its operations in Colombo. “The UN is not closing down its offices in Colombo,” he said.

They are closing down a regional office but UN operations in Sri Lanka will continue, he said.

He said that contrary to media reports, Buhne has not been recalled but asked to come to New York for consultations and he will comeback.

“It is not unusual in situations like this for envoys to be recalled for consultations,” he said.

The Minister added that the Government through proper channels has given assurances that the inviolability of the UN properties will be guaranteed.

The Sri Lankan Government would continue to engage within the UN system.