The United Nations (UN) has warned that the new controversy centering on UNCEF and the meal pack saga can harm the generally excellent working relationship between the UN and Sri Lanka. Refuting the allegation brought against it, the United Nations Office of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka in a statement said that the consignments of Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), which was initially cleared by Sri Lanka Customs in early August, but recently impounded, was imported to the country with the knowledge of the government.

Customs confiscated the consignment after allegations were raised against the UN organisation that the meal packs were brought for the use of the Tamil Tigers.

“In the estimation of the UN, this false impression undermines the security of every UN staff member, obstructs the implementation of basic development projects for all Sri Lankans, erodes the confidence of donor governments, and damages the generally excellent working relationship of the UN and the government,” the statement said.

“This consignment was purchased by UNICEF on behalf of 12 UN and other agencies for the use of only staff in every UN office in Sri Lanka in the event of an emergency when food might be scarce”.

The statement further said: “This ‘three day ration’ is in accordance with global security measures stipulated by UN Headquarters, and is common practice throughout the world. While the UN acknowledges and fully supports the right of a sovereign government to investigate credible allegations of wrongdoing, the circumstances of this action appear to have been driven by unsupported statements in Parliament earlier that day, by a member of the opposition. The UN looks forward to a speedy resolution of this issue, so that the good work of the UN in Sri Lanka can continue unimpeded.”

It pointed out: “Of greater concern is that the unsupported allegation is the latest in a series made in the pages of the press and under parliamentary privilege, the total effect of which gives a false impression to the people of Sri Lanka that the national security is affected by the presence of the UN.”

“This is contrary to the record, which is that the UN operates in Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka, and with every effort at full transparency, serving people throughout Sri Lanka,” it said, adding that “Through this work, for over 50 years the UN has worked to make people’s lives more secure by supporting the Government’s efforts to meet the basic development and humanitarian needs of Sri Lankans.”

“Furthermore, in the estimation of the United Nations, this false impression undermines the security of every UN staff member, obstructs the implementation of basic development projects for all Sri Lankans, erodes the confidence of donor governments, and damages the generally excellent working relationship of the UN and the Government.”

Meanwhile, the UN office in Colombo also said that it was conducting its own investigation into the allegation relating to participation of some staff members in a recent protest against the killing of two Red Cross workers.

UN Spokesman Gordon Weiss confirmed that the incident is being probed. “We will conclude that investigation and carry out sanctions by the end of December,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Foreign Ministry has requested the UN to withdraw these staff members. “We have said we will investigate the full circumstances of what happened, and not just the two staff members,” he said.

Acting Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka, T B Maduwegedara, summoned the UNICEF Resident Representative to the Ministry on Thursday and expressed serious concern about the participation of four staff members - one national and three international - in the protest.

He requested UNICEF to withdraw the international officer and terminate the national officer, saying that participation in the demonstration had been a violation of the UNICEF mandate.

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