Foreign Embassies condemn “intimidating” protests against UN probe in Sri Lanka

LONDON - Embassies in Sri Lanka have expressed disappointment over the “intimidating” protests, which have blockaded the United Nations compound in Colombo.

According to the BBC, diplomatic missions including those of the UK, US and Germany said blocking access to the UN and “intimidating” its workers breached “international norms”.

Ten embassies in the capital, issued a joint statement condemning the protests, which they said would harm Sri Lanka’s reputation on the international stage.

In the statement, they called upon the Sri Lankan government to take “all appropriate steps” to ensure the safety of the UN compound and staff.

The latest escalation has come a day after the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, urged Sri Lanka to “normalise conditions” around the UN office in Colombo after days of angry demonstrations.

On Thursday, Ban recalled his top envoy to the island, Neil Buhne, and closed a regional office in Colombo.

Hundreds of people have been demonstrating against a UN panel investigating alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.

BBC also stated that Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa has resigned and started what he says will be a hunger strike to death.

In a statement, Sri Lanka’s ministry of external affairs said it wished to “categorically emphasise” that the government had looked after the safety of the UN premises.

“The demonstrations taking place outside have not resulted in harm to anyone,” it added.

Sri Lanka has maintained that an inquiry is not needed and denies troops committed war crimes.

There have been consistent allegations that both the army and Tamil Tigers rebels who troops routed last year, committed crimes at the end of the war. (ANI)