At the media briefing on Friday Farhan Haq, the Assistant spokesman to the UNSG Ban Ki-moon said the decision to close the office was taken yesterday by Mr. Ban not several months ago as stated by Sri Lankan media quoting a local UN official.
The spokesman said prior to this crisis the UN had discussions with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and it was agreed to downsize the regional center that was relocated to Colombo from Katmandu, Nepal few years ago.
"However, in light of the Secretary-General's decision yesterday, UN is closing the center outright," the spokesman said.
"It is a direct response to the situation in Colombo and our concerns about the ability of our staff to do their work in Colombo without hindrance," he added.
The spokesman said the decision was taken after discussions with the UNDP.
Meanwhile, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka clarified on Friday that it was the UNDP closing its regional office and not the country office.
"The Office of the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka wishes to clarify that the UNDP country office in Sri Lanka is not closing. It is only the Colombo office of UNDP's Regional Center for Asia and the Pacific, which provides policy advice and services for countries throughout Asia and the Pacific, which is closing," a statement issued by the country office said.
"All UNDP programs for Sri Lanka will continue, as will the vital work of the other agencies throughout Sri Lanka," the statement added.
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