Demos near US embassy in London

Dulan Hettiarachchi

BSLF

* A non- political, independent organisation which safeguards Sri Lanka's image

* It is committed to safeguard SL's sovereignty, territorial integrity

Hundreds of Sri Lankan expatriates converged outside the American embassy in London on Sunday to protest against the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva.

Assembled opposite the American embassy for a peaceful demonstration, which was organised by the British Sri Lankan Forum (BSLF) within short notice, members of the forum and participants were shouting slogans, waving lion flags and holding placards condemning American hypocrisy and double standards against Sri Lanka. The demonstrators, led by two leading organisers of BSLF, Shiran Almeida and P Channa chanted slogans such as: USA Hypocrisy - Sri Lanka Democracy, Hands off Sri Lanka, USA - double game, We love our democracy - USA shows hypocrisy.

The placards and huge banners the demonstrators carried read: Stop the hypocrisy and double standards against Sri Lanka, USA pushing for confrontation - Not co-operation, Practice what you preach, Sri Lanka is peaceful - go and see for yourselves, Do not support the Pro - LTTE lobby Groups, they will bring terrorism to your door step, Are you paid by the Pro - LTTE lobby Groups, Don't believe Channel 4 misrepresentation of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka needs co - operation, NOT Intervention, Deception by Amnesty International - Funded by pro Tiger lobby groups.

The demonstrators also distributed leaflets near the American embassy. The group appealed to the British public to visit Sri Lanka and see for themselves the massive reconstruction, rebuilding, infrastructure, development progress and the ground reality in post war Sri Lanka, including the former conflict affected areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The forum launched this campaign to raise public awareness, saying that Sri Lanka was finally saved from 30 years of devastation at the hands of the Tigers. However, the terror fund raising and propaganda networks are still very much intact outside Sri Lanka.

All over the world, the supporters of this vicious group of psychopaths with the blessings of a few NGOs spread numerous lies and half truths detrimental to the motherland.

The totally biased and misleading documentary by Channel 4 about Sri Lanka is just one such manifestation of this movement and the group requested the British public not to believe this malicious false propaganda the forum states. Addressing the gathering, a BSLF spokesman thanked all who attended and supported the protest to make it a success within a short period.

He said that they organised this event to express their protest against the decision made by the US against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva.

He also objected to the unnecessary influence and interference into Sri Lanka's internal affairs by the US-led Western countries and regretted the undue pressure from sections of the international community which have fallen prey to the false propaganda.

He said that BSLF will be handing over a petition to the American embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British government during the week.