Lanka seeks end to crisis

8 July 2010 11:00 am

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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