'We have fully assured through our representative in New York and in Colombo that the government will ensure safety and security of the UN office and its functioning without any hindrance', Minister Peiris said.

'It was the Government’s obligation to ensure the safety of all diplomatic missions and premises, and allow the free movement under the international law. We have discharged our obligation', stated Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris at a press briefing yesterday (08 July).

The protest staged opposite the UN Colombo office was a peaceful demonstration. Even the United Nations has upheld the right to hold peaceful demonstrations and those rights have been enshrined in the Constitution of this country, he added.

Any person in the country had a right to express an opinion, demonstrate or protest against any matter in a peaceful manner, the Minister further said and added that government ministers too have their individual right as a member of the society and it is known world over that in a coalition government, there are different parties with different ideas.

He further stated that the gates to the UN complex are open and that the demonstration did not block the entrances to the UN offices and the staff.

In a statement issued by the Government on 06 July said that it dealt with the protest in compliance with both domestic as well as international obligations.

When asked about the basis for UN in appointing its panel, Minister Peiris said there was no relevance between this panel and the Joint Statement issued during UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s visit to Sri Lanka in the immediate aftermath of the end of war in May 2009.

'There is absolutely no connection or any link between the Joint Statement and the appointment of this Panel. The Joint Statement says the Government will take measure to address the issue. That is why it has appointed the Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. If the UN Secretary General wants any advice as claimed by him, Sri Lanka was of the opinion that he (UNSG) should have taken it from within the UN system', the Minister stated.