The government says it is seeking a rapid end to the crisis resulting from the protest outside the UN office in Colombo. However External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris said that the government will not obstruct any peaceful protest.
Speaking to reporters in Colombo a short while ago Minister Peiris said that it was the democratic right of any group to stage a peaceful protest and on that basis there will not be any attempt to obstruct the fast unto death by Minister Wimal Weerawansa outside the UN office.
He added that the government had assured the UN over the safety and security of the UN staff in Colombo.
The Minister also refuted opposition claims that the joint statement between the UN and the Sri Lankan government following the visit to Sri Lanka last year by UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon had any reference to the creation of a panel on Sri Lanka.
Dailymirror
# Kevin 2010-07-08 16:37 There had been many peaceful demonstartions for the last few months but Police was hard on them using tear gas and water cannon.
# Sanath R 2010-07-08 16:42 This itself shows the double standard of the govt when it comes to protests. We had seen enough episodes in the recent past where peaceful demostrations were dispersed with baton charging and using water cannons etc. Why same cannot be applied to WW and the crowd? It implies that they are voicing the Govt's stand.
# Chuti 2010-07-08 16:43 Won't disturb a peaceful protest? Then why were the earlier peaceful protests disrupted violently with tear gas and baton poles? Aren't the monks who went on a fast unto death for the release of Gen. Sarath Fonseka taken to custody? What double standards. You call this democracy? No wonder the UN is taking such measures!!
# CHANDRIKA 2010-07-08 16:44 who created crisis??
# Gunda 2010-07-08 16:44 Mr Peiris, You must be ashamed of yourself for making statements like this. You are a real disgrace
# bugger 2010-07-08 16:52 This shows the govt hand in the protest
# Panchaudaya 2010-07-08 16:55 Worse than kindergarden children. Sorry!
