Kadirgamar assassination a 'Terrorist Attack', UN

UN permanent representative of Sri Lanka, Prasad Kariyawasam in an interview with Sandesaya said Japan; the current chairman of the Security Council issued a statement on behalf of the Security Council and condemned the killing of the Sri Lankan prime minister as a terrorist attack.

He said the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan condemned the killing immediately after the assassination which followed the Security Council’s statement on Monday the 16th.

The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences and sympathy to his family and the people of Sri Lanka.

UN protest

Meanwhile, the UN office in Colombo strongly condemned the LTTE for bringing down the UN flags at UN Office in Killinochchi flown half mast in honour of Late Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Brennon Jones, the spokesman for the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Miguel Bermeo told the BBC that the United Nations is disturbed and saddened by the incidents that took place in Kilinochchi.

"As a sign of respect and solidarity, the UN flags were flying at half-mast during a day of national mourning and of the funeral of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister who had been tragically assassinated on 12 August", he said.

Describing the incident, the spokesman Brennon Jones said a group of some 60 people forcibly entered UN agency compounds in Kilinochchi and proceeded to bring down UN flags.

The compounds included UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF. These regrettable incidents took place after UN staff refused to comply with the group’s demand that the flag not be flown at half-mast.

"The United Nations condemns these kinds of incidents in the strongest possible terms. We are here to serve the needs of all the people of Sri Lanka and we expect that UN staff and property should be respected and protected if we are able to fulfil our mission", the statement further said.

In the wake of these incidents, the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka have issued a protest to the LTTE, as the incident took place in a LTTE-controlled area.

He has also requested that the LTTE ensure such incidents do not occur again. The Government of Sri Lanka has been informed accordingly.