Protest demonstration outside UN office in Colombo
The Government of Sri Lanka dealt with the protest outside the UN
complex in Colombo yesterday, 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,
states the Government Information Department.
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 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 of Sri Lanka expects that the UN complex in Colombo
would continue to function as normal in the days ahead.
The Government understands that those who are demonstrating intend to
continue with their protest, until the UN system revisits the matter of
the Panel on Sri Lanka. At the same time, the freedom of entry and exit
to and from the complex for authorized personnel will remain constant.
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