Process of forming advisory panel on Sri Lanka is underway, UN says

Colombo: The process of forming an expert panel to advise the United Nations Secretary-General Ban K –moon on the accountability issues of Sri Lanka is underway, the UN Chief's spokesperson Martin Nesirky said Thursday.

Responding to a media query at Thursday's press briefing, Nesirky said the panel would advise the Secretary-General on matters of accountability, including by looking at existing standards.


However, the panel was not an investigative body, the spokesman stressed.

Responding to a question, Nesirky said the Secretary-General's Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar and Sri Lanka's UN Ambassador, Dr. Palitha Kohona will have discussions on the issue.

"It was entirely logical that the Secretary-General's office would be in touch with the Sri Lankan Government so that they understand the role of the advisory panel," he said.

Regarding the concerns the Non-Aligned Movement raised over the expert panel on Sri Lanka, the spokesman said the Secretary-General would reply to the letter from the Non Aligned Movement.

Sri Lankan government vehemently opposes the UN's move to appoint the advisory panel on the basis that infringes on the country' sovereignty. However, the UN Chief had dismissed the Sri Lankan government's objections