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by Frances Bulathsinghala

Government sources have confirmed that Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando is expected to contest the United Nations Secretary General post which falls vacant with the present Secretary General Kofi Annan's term ending in December 2006.

Sources said that Sri Lanka will be 'in the fray' and that the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister has 'received the blessings' of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is reported to be strongly backing the move.

The government is expected to canvass international support for the move, government sources told the 'Sunday Observer' adding that Sri Lanka would provide a 'good competition' for the post.

Records reveal that U Thant of Burma, now Myanmar, who served from 1961 to 1971 was the first and only Asian secretary general.

The sixty year old Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka has been a member of the Sri Lankan Parliament since 1977 and has held the portfolios of Justice, Information and Broadcasting and Foreign Affairs.

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