Dec 03 Colombo: The United Nations (UN) today condemned the killing of a non governmental humanitarian worker in Batticaloa of Eastern Sri Lanka last week.

Issuing a special statement the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Neil Buhne said that this was the third incident a Norwegian Refugee Council employee was murdered in the past two and a half years.

“It is noted the Government has already begun an investigation into this murder and we call upon the authorities to vigorously pursue the culprits,” the UN statement said.

A. Vigneswaran (28), a staff member of the Norwegian Refugee Council was shot dead by unknown gunmen near his residence at Earavur in Batticaloa on November 27th. Vigneswaran had been working as a construction-supervisor with the NRC for nearly two years.