-By A Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -15.Oct.2024, 11.15 pm) Concerns have surfaced regarding the political involvement of a local United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) employee, Fadhil Bakir, who works under the leadership of Ms. Azusa Kubota in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Allegations have been raised suggesting that Bakir actively campaigned against current President Anura Kumar Dissanayaka during the last presidential election, instead supporting opposition candidate Sajith Premadasa.
According to reports, Bakir also allegedly fabricated claims that, if elected, the National People’s Power (NPP) party would ban the five daily prayers observed by Muslims, a statement intended to mislead and frighten the Muslim community into voting against the NPP. This rumor, later proven false, has raised significant questions about Bakir’s neutrality and political interference while serving in a UNDP role.
It is alleged that Bakir arranged a pro-Palestinian event attended by Muslim politicians, where he reportedly criticized the NPP as being anti-Muslim and encouraged the community to mount a campaign against the party. He also reportedly claimed that the NPP had ties to India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), further stoking anti-NPP sentiments. These actions have called into question the impartiality of the UNDP and its employees, with many wondering how Bakir’s involvement in such political matters was allowed to go unchecked.
There are now calls for the UNDP to investigate Bakir’s conduct, with some urging his immediate suspension from the organization. Concerns have also been raised about the potential damage to the UNDP’s reputation and neutrality, particularly in the eyes of the current government and the NPP.
Ms. Azusa Kubota, the local representative for the UNDP, may not have been aware of Bakir’s alleged actions, but many believe that the responsibility lies with her to address the situation. Furthermore, it is said that Ms. Kanni Vignaraja, a senior UN official, was reportedly shocked to learn about Bakir’s alleged political affiliations with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, raising further questions about the oversight within the organization.
The situation has drawn attention from political circles, and all eyes are now on the UNDP to see how it will respond to these serious allegations against Bakir.
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by (2024-10-15 17:50:00)
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