U Than Tun was speaking in response to Mr Ban’s annual report to the UN General Assembly that expressed his concerns about the ethnic and religious tensions that have led to violence against minority Muslim communities in Rakhine State.

“The deep-seated inter-ethnic and inter-religious tensions that have re-emerged around the country have given rise to further violence, loss of life, displacement of populations and destruction of property," the UN chief said in his report.

U Than Tun, a member of the committee set up to keep track of the work of international aid groups, said that in “Buthee Taung Township in Rakhine State, for example, 95 percent of the population is Bengali [the group that self-identify as Rohingya] and it was not possible for it [the communal violence] to be started by the Rakhine [Buddhist community].”

U Than Tun told Mizzima he believed Mr Ban was ill-equipped to express opinions on the conditions of the population in Rakhine State.

U Zaw Win, chairman of the Kaman National Progressive Party, that represents the Kaman ethnic group - a minority from Rakhine State who follow the Islamic faith, told Mizzima on Octobe 6 “When communal violence happens, both sides suffer losses, trauma and insecurity.”

“Every Buddhist doesn’t hate Muslims and every Muslim doesn’t hate Buddhists,” said U Zaw Win, adding that he believed the communal violence was the result of manipulation and misunderstanding.

U Than Tun added that he particularly disagreed with Mr Ban’s assessment that “Legal proceedings against the perpetrators remain blocked.”

The EEC member told Mizzima, that in all incidents of communal violence including Rakhine State, Meiktila and Mandalay, the government has taken action against those responsible.

“He is just reporting, he doesn’t know the ground situation,” he added once more.