The UN has commenced a probe into the conduct of a senior WFP official who likened the current situation in the Wanni to that of Somalia triggering a major outcry from the Government which immediately demanded an apology from the world body.
Colombo operations WFP Chief Adnan Khan told The Sunday Times that the WFP would look into every aspect of the incident, and take necessary action against the official, adding that he may even be suspended from operating in the country.
“However everything depends on the outcome of the ongoing internal inquiry,” Mr. Khan said.
Mr. John Campbell, a senior WFP official is alleged to have told the BBC Sinhala Service Sandesaya that the current situation in the conflict areas with the large number of IDPs was something close to Somalia.The WFP chief was immediately summoned to the Defence Ministry where he made a personal apology on behalf of the errant official.
The WFP later said in a statement that its mandate was to provide food and assistance to those in need and that statements made by staff members do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the organisation.
Following the incident the WFP has put a gag on its staff and in future only a few selected officials at the very top will be allowed to make statements to the media, Mr. Khan further said.
In a separate development, the WFP since October has dispatched 4,120 tons of mixed food commodities to meet the needs of the people caught up in the Wanni fighting. | 
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