Sri Lanka initially said it was too early to comment on the protests

A statement issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka will continue to 'observe closely' the situation in the South East Aisan nation.

Burma has seen almost two weeks of sustained popular unrest, in the most serious challenge to the military leadership for more than two decades.

Buddhist monks killed

But the number of protesters on the streets is much smaller since the clampdown, and the Buddhist monks who spearheaded the rallies are being prevented from leaving their monasteries.

Disrupted communications have made information coming out of Burma very patchy.

	A Buddhist monk's body was seen lying in a lake

However, a correspondent in Rangoon - who must remain anonymous for safety reasons - said people were too scared to do anything with so many soldiers around.

"Sri Lanka is eager that Myanmar resolves all issues through a peaceful process of national reconciliation and political accommodation," the short statement issued on Sunday from New York added.

Minister Bogollagama is in the United States attending UN General Assembly.

The statement was issued as Sri Lanka government faces growing criticism for not commenting while fellow Buddhists calling for democracy are heavy handedly dealt by Myanmar's military junta.

Anura Bandaranaike

Questioning his own government's silence over the issues,
National Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike expressed solidarity with protesters.

He told BBC Sandeshaya that he supports international calls to boycott Burmese products in support of Myanmar's pro-democracy protests.

The silence of our Buddhists is deafening. Especially the self appointed custodians of the 'Dhamma' and of course our Foreign Ministry Minister Anura Bandaranaike

"The silence of our Buddhists is deafening. Especially the self appointed custodians of the 'Dhamma' and of course our Foreign Ministry," Minister Bandaranaike said in a statement.

However, Deputy Foreign Minister hussein Bahila told BBC Sandeshaya that it was Minister Bandaranike's personal view.

"Our position is that an official statement is not needed as yet," Minister Bahila told BBCSandeshaya on Saturday.