Issuing a statement on Tuesday's incident of Minister Wimal Weerawansa leading a protest in front of the UN premises barricading the staff within the compound, the government said it dealt with the protest in compliance with both domestic as well as .
"At the domestic level, Sri Lanka being a democratic society, the Government had to respect the entitlement to voice opinion, including through peaceful demonstrations," the government statement said adding that 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," the government said.
At the end of the day the police authorities have provided the security to the staff to leave the complex and fe senior officials have remained in the office.
According to the government the protesters have expressed their wish to talk to the UN officials and few protestors along with the Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry have met with the senior UN officials inside the complex.
The Sri Lankan government said it expects the UN complex in Colombo to 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," the government assured.
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