UNICEF gave TRO 80 million rupees

Two of the three foreign UNICEF staffers who took part in a street protest five months ago outside the Fort railway station are no longer in service in Colombo with the organization, according to UNICEF Chief Communication Officer Gordon Weiss. On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry sought the withdrawal of the UNICEF foreign staffers and the termination of one local employee who took part in the demonstration in June in protest against the killing of two Red Cross employees.

One of the staff members who took part in the protest is no longer with the UNICEF and the other member has already left the country. The other local staff member and the international staff member are in the country, according to Mr. Weiss. Acting Foreign Ministry Secretary M. Maduwegedra summoned UNICEF Country Representative Philippe Duamelle and expressed serious concern about the participation of several members of its staff, including the international staff at the demonstration.

This action came after the JVP raised the issue in parliament, though the demonstration had taken place five months ago. The Foreign Ministry in a statement on Friday said the UNICEF Country Representative acknowledged the participation of some of its staff and assured that it would not be repeated.

Meanwhile, the UNICEF for the first time has allowed external auditors to audit its accounts pertaining to projects related to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) after it was banned this week. The outcome of the audit is to be shared with the Sri Lankan government. The UNICEF during the past three years has provided funds for TRO projects amounting to Rs. 80 million (US dollars 800,000).