UN Resident Coordinator is not returning to Sri Lanka, UN says

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Neil Buhne, who was recalled to New York for consultations over government minister Wimal Weerawansa's indefinite fast outside the UN office will not be returning to Sri Lanka, the Associate spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said.



Responding to media queries on Sri Lanka the Associate spokesman Farhan Haq said Buhne has been recalled.

"He's been recalled, and now he is here in New York for consultations with UN officials," the spokesman said.
When asked whether Buhne is not returning at all Haq confirmed that to his knowledge the Resident Coordinator is not returning and said he does not yet know who will be Buhne's replacement.
The spokesman said the Panel of Experts appointed by the UN Chief Ban Ki-moon is expected to meet in New York in the coming weeks for the first time but a date is not yet fixed.
Sri Lanka's National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa last week launched a protest campaign which he later converted to an indefinite fast in front of the UN office in Colombo against the appointment of the panel demanding the UN chief to rescind the panel.
The relations between the UN Secretary-General and the Sri Lankan government had soured recently over the panel of experts which Sri Lanka sees as an intrusion into the internal affairs of the country.
However, the UN chief asserts that the panel is not an investigative body and its function is to advise him on Sri Lanka's accountability during the later stages of war against Tamil Tigers,