A Sri Lanka cabinet minister went on an indefinite hunger strike today outside the UN offices in Colombo to protest an inquiry into alleged war crimes, according to dpa. Construction and Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa opposed a three-member panel appointed by the United Nations to investigate the alleged killing of civilians by government troops during the civil war with separatist rebels from the Tamil ethnic minority. "I will carry on the fast until the UN meets our demand of withdrawing the panel," said Weerawansa, who also leads the National Freedom Front party, a member of the ruling coalition. Weerawansa, the only person on the fast, was being watched by supporters of his party. -- SPA
