The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), which has projects both in government-controlled areas and rebel-controlled areas in the country, has been accused by Wimal Weerawansa, leader of the JVP (People's Liberation Front), of allegedly providing Rs.100 million to LTTE through an organisation known to be closely working with the rebels.

According to local newspapers, Weerawansa made this accusation against the UN agency in parliament Monday.

He also accused local staff of the Unicef of having links with the rebels.

Reacting to the allegations, the UN agency in a statement said: 'The accusations levelled against Unicef and its staff can seriously compromise our ability to carry out our work, and can endanger our safety and security.

'All UN staff are recruited under terms of employment in which they are responsible to the UN secretary general and the principles of the United Nations. They are also honour-bound to work with complete neutrality and to receive no instruction from any third party,' the Unicef statement said.

Unicef has spent around $180 million in the past five years in all parts of Sri Lanka, addressing the most urgent needs of children in areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, and nutrition.

The Marxist party JVP originally contested with President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in 2004, but eventually broke with the ruling party and now is considered an opposition party.

The party is stated to be influential among the rural population in the south dominated by the majority Sinhala community.

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