Lanka seeks end to crisis

8 July 2010 11:00 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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. (KB)

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Comments - 11

Kevin Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:07 AM

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 Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:12 AM

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 Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:13 AM

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 Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:14 AM

who created crisis??

Gunda Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:14 AM

Mr Peiris, You must be ashamed of yourself for making statements like this. You are a real disgrace

bugger Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:22 AM

This shows the govt hand in the protest

Panchaudaya Thursday, 08 July 2010 11:25 AM

Worse than kindergarden children. Sorry!

Wihiluwansa Thursday, 08 July 2010 02:46 PM

"The Government will not obstruct any peaceful protest" - Does this means govt. also want to get rid of this joker somehow???

N.C.Wijeratne Thursday, 08 July 2010 07:16 PM

You are definitely 'playing to the gallery'!

D.E.M. Ocracy Thursday, 08 July 2010 08:33 PM

HOW COME THE 'GOLDEN KEY DEPOSITORS ASSOCIATION' WAS THREATENED WITH TEAR-GAS AND WATER CANNONS, WHEN THEY STAGED A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF "CEYLINCO INSURANCE" ON 2ND JULY 2010, DESPITE HAVING A VERY LEGITIMATE CONCERN FOR THEIR SECURITY DEPOSITS? OVER TO YOU HON. G.L. PERIS! ALSO, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF "PEACEFUL," IN YOUR DICTIONARY?

V.Stanislaus Thursday, 08 July 2010 10:20 PM

The following is what the Joint statement said: "Sri Lanka reiterated its strongest commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, in keeping with international human rights standards and Sri Lanka’s international obligations. The Secretary-General underlined the importance of an accountability process for addressing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The Government will take measures to address those grievances."

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Lanka seeks end to crisis

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