Minister Wimal Weerawansa led NFF supporters are performing a ‘Thovile’, a ritual ceremony of chanting, dancing and drumming to drive off evil spirits outside the UN office in Colombo where they are protesting.

The move came as External Affairs Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe was having talks with UN office representatives in Colombo in a bid to convey Weerawansa’s demand to get the UN to withdrawal the panel of experts appointed to probe alleged war crimes.

Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe arrived outside the UN office in Colombo a short while ago and was seen being escorted by two representatives of the National Freedom Front (NFF) inside the UN building to hold discussions with the UN

Before enterring the UN office, Jayasinghe was seen having discussions with Minister Wimal Weerawansa amidst the large number of protestors who remained in the area staging a ‘sathyagraha’. The NFF representatives later came out of the UN office saying they had agreed with UN officials to ensure the safety of the remaining UN staff leaving the premises.

The police have begun withdrawing from outside the UN office in Colombo on recieving instructions from the government and after one police officer was assaulted by the large number of protestors who have gathered in the area.

Our Reporters say  Minister Wimal Weerawansa who returned to the scene of the protest outside the UN office in Colombo a short while ago has warned that he would take part in the fast unto death if the police chief did not remove the police from the area

Weerawansa who arrived at the scene just as the police had begun removing the protestors had made a telephone call to the police chief in front of the large crowd and demanded the police to be removed immediately or he would take part in the fast unto death.

NFF party member Piyasiri Wijenayaka who was taking part in the protest was reportedly injured when the police began removing the protestors while eight others were also admitted to hospital.