Geneva resolution :

Pro-Lanka protests to sweep Europe

Chaminda Perera

* Demos in five Italian cities

* Lankans in Europe to join

Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans will take part in protests across Europe this week at the proposed UN resolution backed by the United States and several Western countries against the motherland at the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

A massive protest organized by Sri Lankans in Rome will be held today at Piazza Dei Venezia, while a number of such protests are scheduled to take place in a number of cities in Italy, France and many other cities in Europe during this week.

Sri Lankans living in Milano, Napoli, Verona, Pirenzi and Catania will stage a massive protest against the proposed resolution backed by the US and their allies in Europe.

The protest will be held in Verona on March 11, chief organiser Bimal Fernando said.

He told the Daily News that all Sri Lankans irrespective of their political and racial differences have joined together to protect their motherland.

Fernando said that more than 18 organizations are involved in organising protest campaigns in five main cities - Milano, Napoli, Verona, Pirenzi and Catania across Italy on March 11 from 3pm to 6pm.

These protests are aimed at negating all international forces attempting to undermine Sri Lanka’s victory over three decades of terrorism by tabling a resolution against Sri Lanka, he said.

A massive protest against the US backed resolution against Sri Lanka will also be held at Place De Lutracadero, Paris on March 11.

A representative of the Sri Lankan community in Europe requested all Sri Lankans to rally against LTTE separatism.

He said that Sri Lankans overseas should raise their voice more against the US and Western nations attempting to divide the country by resorting to various conspiracies.

Fernando said that the US and several Western countries are attempting to plunder the country's resources by meddling with its internal affairs under the cover of human rights.

"Sri Lanka is an independent and sovereign country. Sri Lankans living abroad should come forward at this time to safeguard their motherland," he said.