Government Thanks The UN
(The Sunday Leader)

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa today (19) thanked the assistance provided by the UN and said the country could not have achieved what it has at the moment without the help of all humanitarian workers and the UN organization.

Rajapaksa made this statement during his address at an event held at the UN Compound today. This follows somewhat tense relations with the UN following the protest in front of their compound by Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Rajapaksa thanked the UN country office, its country director and all the donors who have assisted Sri Lanka.

“I don’t think we could have achieved what we have achieved at this moment without the help of all humanitarian workers and the UN organization. On behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka I would like to thank the UN country office especially the country director and all the other country heads in the UN family and all the donors who helped through UN and directly to the Sri Lanka government and the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.

The UN also reiterated its support to the government at the event.

UN Country Representative Neil Buhne addressing the same gathering said the UN was looking forward to support the government to rebuild and recover, and lay a firm foundation for safe lives free from need for all Sri Lankans