A large numbers of police arrived at the scene and removed the protestors and cleared the entrance to allow the UN staff to leave the compound. Several cars carrying the staff were seen leaving the compound but it is not certain how many remain inside.
Minister Weerawansa has ordered the authorities to remove the police from the scene and threatened to go on a hunger strike if they weren't removed.
The police later withdrew from the melee apparently on the instructions from higher authorities. One policeman has reportedly been injured in the scuffle.
Media reports said the Secretary of External Affairs Ministry Romesh Jayasinghe arrived at the compound.
The protestors are demonstrating against UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons panel of Experts appointed to probe Sri Lanka's alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law during the later stages of the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Protestors say the panel is to prosecute the war heroes and other government officials who saved the country from the three-decade long terrorism.
Political analysts in the country say the UN chief has given into the pressure from Western nations and pro-LTTE lobby groups who are trying to revive the vanquished terrorist group.
Several nations including superpowers Russia and China and the Non-Aligned Movement have criticized the Secretary-General's decision to appoint the panel while the US, Britain, and the European Union have praised the appointment and urged the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with it.
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