Inquiry into allegations against UNICEF

Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday told Parliament that the Government has commenced a full scale investigation whether the UNICEF through the TRO has directly or indirectly given funds to the LTTE.

Responding to a special statement made by JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa, the Minister said investigations will reveal whether the TRO has given money or any other resources to the LTTE. Investigations will also disclose if the UNICEF has released any funds to the TRO.

During Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, a decision was taken to ban TRO activities in Sri Lanka. “In future the Government will be more cautious on the various goods imported to Sri Lanka through the UN or other Non-Governmental Organisations,” the Minister added.

Weerawansa said a huge container with 5,640 packets of dry rations worth over US $ 54,800 has been imported to Sri Lanka with UNICEF approval .

According to Weerawansa, the UNICEF has ordered this consignment of dry foods from a French company named Economai Des Armess.

The UNICEF has said they have imported these goods for the consumption of United Nations (UN) workers serving in the North and East in case of an emergency.

These foods items have been packed by using a cover similar to an Army Commando kit. “These kind of food items are not used for the consumption of the civilians. These foods are used for the consumption of the Armed Forces. Specially these kind of food items are required for the Armed Forces engaged in guerrilla operations. Therefore, these kind of food packets are known as “combat ration”.

According to the import documents of the UNICEF, they have introduced these food parcels as “Ready to eat meal”. The UNICEF has followed this move to mislead both the Customs and our Security Forces, he said.

Weerawansa questioned if the UN workers need food, what is the purpose of purchasing such food items from a company named Economat Des Armees which comes under the purview of the French Defence Ministry.

Has the UNICEF authorities judged that Sri Lanka will tread into a severe food shortage where combat rations will have to be given to the UN workers.

He said the UNICEF has not imported these food items for the benefit of their workers.

“The UNICEF will provide these food items to the terrorists. At present the UN is engaging in an international operation to bring disrepute to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

These food items may be transported to Kilinochchi because the vehicles belonging to the UNICEF or UN are not subjected to large scale checking. Therefore, it is not a difficult task to provide the food packs to the LTTE terrorists.”

Weerawansa said the UNICEF has guessed that there will be 300,000 displaced people in Sri Lanka and obtained money from its parent organisation. This clearly indicates that the UNICEF has launched counter attacks against the military operations launched by our Armed Forces to liberate the Vanni and Kilinochchi from the LTTE, he added.

“We don’t believe UNICEF Colombo has launched this operation without the knowledge of the UN. It is the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Government to take stern action regarding this.

The Government should take measures to expel LTTE friendly UNICEF officers and steps should also be taken to stop deals made between Kilinochchi and Colombo. The view of the JVP is that the Government should temporarily close down their offices in Kilinochchi.”