Foreign Mission of Germany, UK, US, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Romania, Norway and the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka have expressed ‘dismay’ by the blockade of the UN-compound this week in Colombo and the role played in it by a Government minister. In a joint statement they said that ‘peaceful protest is part of any democracy, but blocking access to the United Nations – of which Sri Lanka itself is a member – as well as intimidating and harassing UN personnel is a breach of international norms and harmful to Sri Lanka's reputation in the world.’ They have called upon the government of Sri Lanka to take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises. They have also welcomed the meeting scheduled on Monday between the Dean of the diplomatic corps and the Foreign Minister to discuss this issue.