Hundreds of Buddhist clergy gathered for a vigil in the capital to protest a U.S. backed war crimes resolution on Sri Lanka as the government released a new video countering allegations, an official said here on Monday.

Large numbers of Buddhist clergy attended a special vigil and " pooja" to offer prayers and bless the government in its efforts to defeat a U.S. backed resolution at the UN Human Rights Council ( UNHRC) in Geneva later this week, said police.

"There are large numbers of Buddhist priests and clergy from other religions converging at the Vihara Maha Devi Park to pray for the defeat of the U.S. resolution," confirmed Police spokesman Ajith Rohana.

This is the latest in a string of protests and walks organized by pro-government groups lobbying UNHRC member countries to defeat a resolution that calls for an investigation into alleged war crimes during the last days of Sri Lanka's three decade conflict.

Meanwhile the Defense Ministry on its website released yet another video titled "Shadow of Terror" to counter a controversial Channel 4 video that claims to present evidence of war crimes.

The government has steadfastly denied targeting civilians during the war and insists that no deaths were caused by its forces.