The United Nations (UN) Office in Colombo is closely monitoring the developing situation in the country with the impending release of the ‘war crimes’ report but has stopped short of seeking additional security from the Government, a senior official said yesterday.
UN Spokesperson Tom Hockley told the Sunday Times that as of now they were comfortable with the current security being provided to the UN and its staff and therefore it was not necessary to seek additional protection from the state.
“At the moment we have an excellent relationship with the Government and its state security agencies and we are confident that the required security will be provided to us at all times,” he said.
Mr. Hockley’s comments came in view of possible demonstrations in Colombo and elsewhere with the release tomorrow of the report by a special panel appointed by the UN Chief Ban-Ki-moon on accountability issues during the last stages of fighting between the security forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers.
Colombo’s DIG K.P.P. Pathirana said they were yet to receive any request from the UN regarding extra security but added that the police were ready to comply at the shortest notice.
He said the police had mounted 24-hour security surveillance on the UN office compound and its other offices in a bid to make sure that nothing untoward happens. |
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