Sri Lanka orders top UN official to leave country

Sri Lanka ordered a senior UN official to leave the country for his "propaganda in support of the Tigers" during the final phase of the 30-year-old civil war.

Sri Lanka on Sunday ordered a senior UN official to leave the country for his “propaganda in support of the Tigers” during the final phase of the 30-year-old civil war that ended in May.

James Elder,an Australian passport holder,has been working for UNICEF in the country since July 2008 and had a residency visa valid until 2010.

“His visa has been canceled for his propaganda support to the Tigers,” a government spokesman said.

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Elder,who is also UNICEF’s spokesman,regularly spoke to the media on the plight of the children caught in the war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government.

He had also raised concerns over the fate of the children during the final phase of the civil war that rendered over 2.9 lakh people homeless.

An agency quoted Immigration official P B Abeykoon as saying that Elder’s visa had been canceled as of September seven (tomorrow) and he had been ordered to leave immediately.

“But the UN appealed for more time and we have extended his visa until 21 September,” Abeykoon was quoted as saying.

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UNICEF said it was seeking more details on Elder’s visa status. “James Elder has been UNICEF’s voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable,” UNICEF regional communication chief Sarah Crowe said.

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