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No Annan, but UN going to Mullaitivu
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to open a branch office in Mullaitivu to facilitate rehabilitation assistance to tsunami victims in Tiger-guerrilla controlled Wanni.

The Sunday Times learns plans for this branch office have been finalised but Government officials remained unaware. They were not sure whether the UNDP had made such a request.

Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara told The Sunday Times: "I have not heard about such a request, but I will have to check with my relevant officials to see whether any intimation has arrived."

At present several United Nations agencies are co-operating with the LTTE in providing assistance to tsunami victims in the Wanni areas. Their representatives have also attended meetings chaired by LTTE Political Wing leader, S. P. Thamilselvan. Among these agencies are the UNDP, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the World Food Program, and the IMF.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, the Government dissuaded the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan from going to tsunami-affected areas in the Wanni. However, Dr. Annan met with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians and a representative of LTTE's Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in Colombo. The latter is learnt to have pleaded for enhanced UN assistance to help those affected by the recent catastrophe.
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