Diplomatic sources say that Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyrone Fernando is canvassing for the United Nations, Secretary- General's post three years in advance and they consider it far too early to canvass for the position. Commenting on the meeting where Minister Milinda Moragoda briefed the Colombo based diplomats on the candidature of Tyrone Fernando, a senior diplomat said "Three years in advance is far too early. We cannot give any official confirmation on it. We will be silent for some time. We also have to wait for other countries to announce their candidature." The diplomat described the meeting as very short. He added that they questioned Fernando regarding his priorities during the briefing.

Another diplomat described the meeting as a routine meeting. The diplomat said, "Minister Moragoda made an announcement and Fernando spoke after that. However, our countries will not comment at this moment of time."

A release from the Sri Lankan foreign ministry states that so far no other Asian country has announced the intention of presenting a candidate for the UN top job. However, our sources at the United Nations in New York pointed out that the names featured in news reports would not be mentioned if they were not interested. Though Fernando has announced his candidature his name has not been mentioned as a possible candidate for the top UN job. Names that have come up are of Sashi Tharoor, UN diplomat and close confidante of Kofi Annan, Kishore Madhubani of Singapore, Dr, Surin Pitsuwan, former Thai foreign minister, Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala, former UN Under Secretary-General for Disarmament and the President of Philippines Gloria Arroyo. Former Thai Foreign Minister, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan has gone on record saying that since it is Asia's turn, Asia must get together and put forward the most credible and respected candidate from Asia.