Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today expressed deepest condolences on the sudden passing away of Una McCauley, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka.
In a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, and to the United Nations, his deepest condolences and that of the Government of Sri Lanka, the President said the people of Sri Lanka today have lost a friend and humanitarian and her caring and inspiring presence will be deeply missed.
“Ms. McCauley was a deeply committed professional. She worked with such dedication, understanding and empathy for those she served. She embodied the UN’s vision and worked with determination and compassion to support Sri Lanka’s social and economic progress and to advance reconciliation and promote, and protect the human rights of all.”
“During the six years she served in Sri Lanka, she earned the confidence and respect of all who knew her and worked with her. The people of Sri Lanka today have lost a friend and humanitarian. Her caring and inspiring presence will be deeply missed,” he said.
He also conveyed his deepest condolences to Ms. McCauley’s mother and her two sons.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a Twitter post said Sri Lankans are deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Una McCauley, who was a strong advocate for the nation providing constant and consistent support.
“We in Sri Lanka are deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Una McCauley, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka. She was a strong advocate for our nation; providing constant and consistent support to our economic and social progress.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs joining the United Nations Country Team in Sri Lanka in honoring the life and work of Ms. McCauley said her wisdom, energy, inspiration, and goodwill that guided the UN-Sri Lanka partnership will always be valued and remembered.
“A humanitarian and an optimist, she encouraged all to look to the future with a vision for unity and human dignity. Her presence will be deeply missed by all at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the Ministry said in a statement.
“As we strive to come to terms with her passing, our deepest condolences are shared with her family,” it added.
Ms. Una McCauley, the first female UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, passed away yesterday at age 54, after a brief illness.
