Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Protest at UN to continue

6 July 2010 05:56 pm - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The government says it understands that those who are demonstrating outside the UN office in Colombo intend to continue with their protest until the UN system revisits the matter of the Panel on Sri Lanka.

A statement by the government information department said the government hopes that the UN complex in Colombo would continue to function as normal in the days ahead. It also said that while the protest continues the freedom of entry and exit to and from the complex for authorized personnel will remain constant. 

“The Government of Sri Lanka dealt with the protest outside the UN complex in Colombo today, in compliance with both domestic as well as international obligations. At the domestic level, Sri Lanka being a democratic society, the Government had to respect the entitlement to voice opinion, including through peaceful demonstrations.  Accordingly, the Police permitted a peaceful gathering in front of the complex.

The Government was also absolutely mindful of its international obligations and so the Police authorities deployed adequate strength and remained vigilant, to ensure the safety of the UN complex and of the personnel within it. At the end of the working day, the Police authorities provided reassurance to those within, that they could freely leave their work place. Once the bulk of the staff had left, a few senior personnel remained within the complex. Those demonstrating had expressed the wish that they should be able to speak to a person in authority in the UN office, in order to convey their deeply felt reservations against the appointment of a Panel on Sri Lanka.

The Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs was accordingly instructed to proceed to the UN complex, so that a very limited number of demonstrators could meet the senior staff and express their sentiments. Once this was accomplished, the remaining UN staff too left the complex,” the government information department said.


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 33

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Sinha Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:01 AM

    Why do we need a UN? it has done nothing but promotion of LTTE under it's banner serving US and EU for their hidden agenda to create conflict and maintain so that they can watch China and India.
    It is high time we get rid of these UN rubbish but in a diplomatic way, the way we normally do!. This is our land we decide what we want and who we want, that's why we have a president selected by Majority.

    Modawansa Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:12 AM

    Shows the IQ levels of cabinet ministers.

    Ananda S Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:12 AM

    UN , USA, EU and Ban Ki Moon all are responsible for this mess due to their pro-LTTE stance.

    ZAROOK Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:12 AM

    how can a cabinet minister use his bold voice and body language against the UN office building. This is the quality of Sri lankan ministers.... the World is laughing on this funny game.. May God Save Sri Lanka

    Ananda S Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:17 AM

    Appointing a committe is not approved by the member nations of UN so Ban Ki Moon is acting like UN is his own sword.

    Sena Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:25 AM

    Funny! it is like criminal protesting against judge to dismiss the case. Then, where is the judgement?

    Che Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:31 AM

    IF ONE IS NOT GUILTY,THEN WHY ALL THE RUMPUS AND PROTESTS ON AN INVESTIGATION, THE BEST WAY TO CHALLENGE THE UNITED NATIONS IS TO ALLOW THEM A FULL AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION TO PROVE WAR CRIMES,AND AFTER THAT, DEMAND THAT THEY INVESTIGATE OTHER COUNTRIES TOO IN THE SAME MANNER, THE WAY THINGS ARE BEING DONE NOW IS NOT GOOD FOR SRI LANKA AT ALL,AND WILL NOT HELP,IT WILL MAKE MATTERS WORSE,BECAUSE REACTING LIKE THIS CAN BE TAKEN AS AN ADMISSION THAT SOMETHING NOT RIGHT HAS INDEED HAPPENED.

    RTA Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:32 AM

    FYI as well...that UN panel was approved by the security council, whereas this is a high handed appointment of the Sec Gen. Not saying the Panchayudaya is doing the right thing, he is simply looking for publicity, but the country should be united in the stand against the committee.

    Che Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:39 AM

    YEAH VERY GOOD IDEA AND ALSO ALL LOANS AND MONIES THEY PROVIDE SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN TOO,AND WHATEVER LOANS THAT SRI LANKA HAS GOT SHOULD BE RETURNED BACK TO THE DONER,FORTHRIGHT ALONG WITH INTEREST.

    Lucky Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:01 AM

    Whether rightful demonstration or not, UN is a Western Puppet. If any Sri Lankan believe that it is a non-aligned movement, think twice. If that was the case, there would not have been a need for a Non-aligned movement after the cold was was over.

    UN is only there to carry out the unfinished business of colonial regimes.

    While being a puppet organisation, they still do some good work in several fields like UNESCO, UNCEF , UNIDO etc.

    Suren Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:12 AM

    I think most of the people have missed the point here ... they see it this as a act of Wimal Weerawansa... people who dont like him .. see this as a stage show ... but when it comes to the big picture ..this is another PROTEST against the UN act... if this has happened to INDIA I'm quite sure all the UN offices all around the word get slashed like this ... but so pathetic how our very own people talk bit about it !!

    Malin Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:48 AM

    We defintely should protest but in a peaceful manner.

    Kirthi hewamanne Wednesday, 07 July 2010 07:00 AM

    I am totally and absolutely amazed how some idiots support Wimal Weerawamsa"s Actions. There are more stupid donkeys in Sri Lanka Than I thought.

    This in not a fight in the village or in the SLUMS

    rajasinha Wednesday, 07 July 2010 07:02 AM

    We as a member country of the UN system must ask for an investigation in to their support for LTTE TERRORISTS the world's most ruthless terrorist organization. Wimal and all the anti imperialist sri lankans must unite and work on that direction. By burning effigies we are been just rediculed by white imperialists and the message we give is not very "gandhian" and peaceful. There we are playing into their hands and supporting their message to the world that sinhalayos are not peaceful. They already call it "hostage taking". (while few years ago when LTTE really took them hostage these monkeys were tight lipped about it - a good example there about double standards) We should have the right to disclose their UN's crimes and get the corrupt officials to pay for the injustice and suffering they caused to sri lankan people for 3 decades.

    Matalan Wednesday, 07 July 2010 07:08 AM

    At the domestic level, Sri Lanka being a democratic society, why were the peaceful protests by University students opposite the Grants Office handled with such brute force? Why were the Buddhists monks who were on peaceful hunger strike opposite Fort station, manhandled and thrown into buses with complete disregard to their dignity?

    Giann Wednesday, 07 July 2010 08:46 AM

    SL has no problems with the UN. The problem is with the Secreatry General and his office. Kindly understand that.

    Senior Citizen Wednesday, 07 July 2010 10:07 AM

    When the Priests did a peaceful S'graha on behalf of Fonseka,they were arrested & remanded. If that is not double standards like they accuse the UN & western powers, I don't know what double standards mean. Actually this is planned to distract people from their daily hardships like high COL.

    citizen1 Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:47 PM

    The UN workers are safer working from home. Let them shout their lungs out at an empty building!

    Tm Abay Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:57 AM

    UN has two solutions. One is to move the office to some other country and withdraw from relations with SL and remove the membership or they can send UN troops here to settle the situation where the Police is incapable of doing. Then we can live happily like Idi Amin's Uganda

    Tm Abay Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:39 AM

    FYI! there's a UN panel to investigate war crimes of Israel. MayB this modavansha don't know that.

    Citizen Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:25 AM

    Ugly incident created by an IRRESPONSIBLE Minister supported by foolish people sponsored by the Government! Doesnt this fool of a Minister know that however hoarse he barks at the Moon, the Moon never comes down!! What a disrepute it has brought to the country in the eyes of the international community!!!

    BURGER Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:25 AM

    Why can't Mr. Wimal and his crowd ask the UN to get out of Sri Lanka

    commonsense Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:21 AM

    The weak stance taken in this uncivilised means of protest clearly shows there is dirt under the carpet.... with all due respects to protect the soverinity of the nation and prevent outside interference in internal matters, this is truely a pathetic display... thats putting the entire nation to shame.

    vince Wednesday, 07 July 2010 12:19 AM

    The people have a right to demonstrate, only when the protest is on the government's agenda!

    Smart Aleck Wednesday, 07 July 2010 12:11 AM

    This protest looks like a 'teledrama' based on a government script. I can just imagine who its 'director' is. The 'comedian' has already been featured. When will we see the 'hero' in action?

    muditha Wednesday, 07 July 2010 12:02 AM

    Anything for cheap publicity - that's all!

    Mohottige Tuesday, 06 July 2010 11:27 PM

    "... The Government had to respect the entitlement to voice opinion, including through peaceful demonstrations ..." My foot! Climbing the wall of the UN HQ and forcefully entering the premisses, as reported, are anything but "peaceful."

    Barbarian Tuesday, 06 July 2010 11:19 PM

    Undergrads get tear-gas while these mutts don't ... One nation - double standrads!

    Faqi Tuesday, 06 July 2010 10:10 PM

    All these demonstrations against a recognized World body will have repercussions. All the goodwill that Sri Lanka has acquired over the past few months may vanish; that would adversely affect our tourist industry. What one must consider is that the UN is composed of almost all the countries in the world - it's like protesting against the world.

    Shanil Samarakoon Tuesday, 06 July 2010 09:22 PM

    Absolute rubbish! Plenty of other demonstrations (more valid ones) have been quashed and silenced!

    Gunda Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:54 PM

    What happens if the UN suspends all it's operations in Sri Lanka? Has the government got a "plan B" for this "too"?

    nimba Tuesday, 06 July 2010 08:12 PM

    This is the way to ruin our country ...

    rich guna Tuesday, 06 July 2010 07:05 PM

    How come a cabinet minister can act like this and say that he is only acting as the leader of a political party? This is surely a government organized 'drama.' God bless Sri Lanka!


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H