UNICEF sacks drug addicted Staff officer

Govt. asks Intl. orgs. to be careful in making appointmentsThe UNICEF has terminated the services of Ms Lisa Woods fined by courts for being in possession of heroin.

The Country office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Foreign Ministry of its decision. Ms Woods left the country yesterday (28).

The Government has stressed the need for international agencies to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standards of integrity of their staff.

A Foreign Ministry communiqué issued yesterday said: "The Country Office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry that the services of Ms Lisa Woods, a Communication Consultant who was fined by the Courts for being in possession of 80 mg of heroin was terminated.

Consequently she left the country on 28th March 2008.

Ms Wood, a US national, had arrived in Sri Lanka on 5th March this year to work with the UNICEF on a 4-month assignment to assist the updating of the UNICEF website and to write donor reports. 

Ms. Wood has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, of a private hospital in Colombo on 12th March as she was found unconscious in her Hotel.  She was placed under arrest by the Police for the possession of heroin and produced before the Colombo Magistrate on 25th March. 

The Government appreciates the co-operation extended by UNICEF to the law enforcement authorities and for the immediate administrative measures taken against the officer.

The Government reiterates the need for international organizations to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standard of integrity and conduct of their staff. This will require a thorough assessment of the individual staff members including previous records, in order to satisfy that the staff member concerned possesses an unblemished record. Such measures would avoid any negative consequences on the concerned agencies by the personal conduct of its officials."