/ Note to Mr. Nambiar {e Article in Sri Lankan newspaper ':l l': Tr ~ s::. ;~ : . '" " ,/,,_ • . ~ . :~ . ;.1'...... s. t..:;:;:;r_ .. . ..:..._ _JC:I!'.r_$J. ~ . .. .~.'I:,..c. _ ~ ....- ~ ...... - -:.-. 1. Further to a briefdiscussion at the DSG's meeting with Departmental Advisers this morning, the purpose ofthis Note is to bring to your attention an issue ofconcern published in a Sri Lankan newspaper.

2. I refer to an article which reports that Mr. Weerawansa, Sri Lanka's Minister for Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, "urged the public to surround the UN office in Sri Lanka and trap the staffinside until a decision is taken by the UN Secretary General to dissolve the panel he appointed on Sri Lanka." A copy ofthe article is attached.

3. Such a statement by a member ofthe Government, iftrue, might have an impact on the ability ofthe United Nations to operate in Sri Lanka and might not be consistent with fundamental obligations ofthe Government towards the United Nations deriving from the Charter itself. We are concerned by this matter and suggest that we might consider next steps. I would propose that consideration might be given to the issuance ofa Note verbale to the Mission of Sri Lanka in New York requesting a clarification ofthe .Minister' s statement.

4. I stand ready to further assist in this matter.

cc.: Mr. Pascoe Mr. Holmes Mr. Starr Mr. Kim Mr. Haysom

,.4 ;',., ,- "'""

t .., " News Monitoring Unit Page 1 of 1

T a k e UN Lan k a st a f f h 0 S tag e

Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). [News Story]. Lakna Paranamanna 30/06/2010.

Government Minister Wimal Weerawansa has urged the public to surround the UN office in Sri Lanka and trap the staff inside until a decision is taken by the UN, Secretary General to dissolve the panel he appointed on Sri Lanka.

Weerawansa told reporters today that the appointment of the three-member advlsorv panel by UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon is the primary step that would prompt the Sri Lankan leaders to be produced to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"This appointment should not be perceived upon as .a simple act because the next step of UN would be to appoint an investigative committee to look into the possible violations of human rights and war crimes. This would eventually lead to the leaders and war heroes of Sri Lanka to be produced to the ICJ," Weerawansa, who is also the leader of the National Freedom Front, said . .

Weerawansa who also spoke of Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Sarath Fonseka's agreement to talk with the UN panel, described of it as a revolting move towards betraying the . country's sovereignty. (Daily Mirror online)

http://unhq-apps-O1.un.org/dpi/nmu.nsf/ac/2010-06-3OGVEL-86WHPJ 30106/2010