Protesters led by Buddhist monks oppose UN human rights officials’ visit to Sri Lanka

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Hundreds of Sri Lankans have protested against a visit by U.N. officials to discuss human rights issues during the country’s civil war.

Monks led about 300 protesters from the Buddhist nationalist National Heritage Party during Thursday’s demonstration opposite a local U.N. office. They complained Sri Lanka is being unfairly criticized for a poor human rights record as the war was ending in 2009.

Three representatives from the U.N. human rights commission have met Sri Lankan government officials and ethnic Tamil politicians and seen areas ravaged by war on their visit.

A U.N. report found evidence the government and Tamil Tiger rebels committed rights violations during the war. The U.N Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution urging Sri Lanka to investigate alleged war crimes committed by both sides.

11:08ET 20-09-12