Anti-Sri Lanka protest in London:

Masses protest

*Political parties, TUs, workers participate

*Demand expulsion of unpatriotic politicians

Bhakthi DHARMAPRIYA MENDIS

Several demonstrations were held in the Colombo city yesterday protesting against the alleged participation of UNP Parliamentarian Dr Jayalath Jayawardena and Dr Wickremabahu Karunaratne in the LTTE terrorist demonstration held in London which precipitated the cancellation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s lecture to the Oxford Union.

Thousands of people including members of political parties, trade unions, workers, professionals and political leaders participated in these protest campaigns.

The protest opposite the British High Commission in Colombo was led by the Jathika Nidhahas Peramuna.

Police strengthened security around the British High Commission to prevent the protesters from entering the High Commission compound.

The protest campaign opposite the Fort Railway Station attended by members of trade Unions attached to the Port, Co-operative and Self Employment sectors and the Presidential Secretariat was held by Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana.

People in their millions are prepared to take to the streets to protect President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has saved the country by defeating terrorism, said Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana participating in the protest campaign opposite the Fort Railway Station yesterday.

Mowlana said the time had come for all patriotic Sri Lankans to rally round to defeat sinister international forces arranged against the country.

He said the law should be enforced strictly against individuals like Dr Jayalath Jayawardena and Dr Karunaratne for their alleged links with the residue LTTE terrorist forces abroad.

Mowlana said international conspiracies are still active against Sri Lanka to obstruct its massive development drive.

Mowlana said President Rajapaksa is the greatest and most valuable national leader in the world today and the vast majority of people are always firmly backing him.

The protest campaign held at Battaramulla was led by Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman G H Buddhadasa.

These protest Campaigns and demonstrations lasted for more than two hours and the participants demanded the expulsion of unpatriotic political leaders who instigate LTTE protest campaigns abroad from the country and stern action by the British Government against LTTE terrorist activities in the UK.