Speaking to media the UNP spokesman Gayantha Karunatileka said Minister Wimal Weerawansa's 'fast unto death campaign' had not achieved anything other than bringing discredit to the nation.
Sri Lanka's National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa launched the indefinite fast outside the UN office in Colombo on Thursday calling the UN Secretary-General to withdraw the Panel of Experts appointed by him to advise him on Sri Lanka's accountability during the later stages of the war with Tamil Tigers.
The Minister ended the fast unto death following a visit by country's President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is recovering in an Army hospital where he was admitted on Saturday after ending the fast.
Opposition parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka has said in parliament that the Minister has done immense damage to the country's image by trying to be a 'cardboard hero' before foreigners.
The UN incensed by the Minister's action called on the government to take urgent measures to normalize the conditions around the UN office so that its staff can carry out their work unhindered.
The Secretary-General recalled the country's UN Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne to New York for consultations and announced the closure of the UNDP Regional Center in Colombo that was slated to be downsized earlier.
In spite of the efforts by the government to smooth the relations with the UN assuring the safety and security of their staff political analysts note that the six-day long protest has damaged the reputation of the country.
Diplomatic corps of nine embassies and European Union delegation in Colombo issued a joint statement condemning the protest and warned that it would harm Sri Lanka's reputation in the world.
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