Staff problem delays UN Panel on Lanka

(August 02, New York, Sri Lnaka Guardian) The work of the United Nations Experts Panel on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka has been delayed because it is yet to be fully staffed, a UN-based news website said.

The Inner City Press website said it was told that the delay was due to the staffing for the panel.

Last month, the UN appointed a chief of staff for the panel whose four-month term was expected to begin from August. But now Inner City Press said it believed that the term would not begin until it was fully staffed.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been billed to address the UN annual sessions next month in New York. He has been listed as “attending”. If Rajapaksa attends, this would be a perfect time for the panel to interview him, the Inner City Press said.