UN top official arrives in Colombo, due to visit NE Thursday

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 September 2009, 10:28 GMT]
Mr. Lynn Pascoe, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, arrived in Sri Lanka Wednesday night. He is expected to visit the North and East Thursday to assess the progress and development therein and the situation of the displaced people. Mr. Pascoe is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapakse Friday after his visit to the North and East, sources in Colombo said.

Mr. Pascoe was a member of the UN Secretary General’s delegation when it visited Sri Lanka in May.

He told media in New York before leaving to Sri Lanka that his main concern was the displaced people living in camps and to get them out and get them home as soon as possible.

During his visit Mr. Pascoe will talk to a number of ministers and senior officials of the Sri Lanka Government, the sources further said.

His visit is a direct result of a telephone conversation between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon Monday, according to the sources.