Lankans in Canada hold peace rally

Albert J. Fernando in Edmonton, Canada

A group of 50 Sri Lankans and Canadians of Sri Lankan origin held a rally in support Peace in Sri Lanka on April 19 opposite the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, the capital of the Province of Alberta.

The participants carried placards with messages such as, 'Let There be Peace in Sri Lanka,' 'Peace Comes Only After End of LTTE Terrorism,' 'LTTE, Let Sri Lankans Live in Peace,' and 'LTTE, Let Tamil Civilians Free.' Referring specially to Tamils living in Canada, a placard had the slogan, 'LTTE, Stop Coercing Tamils to Part With Their Hard-earned Money.'

There were messages to Canadians with slogans including, 'Do Not Support Terrorism,' and 'Investigate LTTE Financing'.

Among those participating were children as well as several elderly persons. The oldest person was 88-year-old Kamala Witharana who said: "I want peace to return to our Motherland. We are fed up with LTTE terrorism."

Speaking to a reporter from Global Television, a representative from the group said they are not against Tamils but vehemently deplore Tigers. "If Prabahkaran is really interested in the welfare of Tamils as he claims, then he should allow them to leave for safer areas instead of keeping them as human shields," he said. He also mentioned that Tigers have killed thousands of Tamils for disagreeing with LTTE ideas. "So that is the so-called democracy that LTTE believes in," he added.

The Global TV was also informed that Sri Lankans appreciate Stephen Harper's Government for adding LTTE to the list of terrorist organizations and also for searching for LTTE fund-collecting activities.

The rally was organized by Manoja Witharana who hopes to hold a parade in Edmonton downtown soon.