External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told parliament today that Buhne had been summoned for consultations in New York by the Secretary General and expressed regret at the hasty decision.
The Minister also denied that the UNDP office has been closed down as stated in the UN Chief's statement yesterday and the country representative had been recalled following the protest launched by the National Freedom Front outside the UN office in Colombo.
He said that only a regional office had been closed down and Buhne was called only for consultations.
"The government was in constant consultation with Mr. Buhne and was working towards resolving the issue," Peiris said.
Sri Lankan media reports said the UNDP office mentioned by the Secretary-General has been slated for closing for sometime and had no connection with the protest.
UN Colombo Information Officer, Mohan Samaranayaka has told local medis today that all UN offices are functioning normally and the move to close the UNDP office was in the cards for several months due to financial constraints.
In a short statement yesterday the UN chief has said that he is recalling the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Neil Buhne, to New York for consultations and he has also decided that the UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo will be closed.
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