The islandwide public demonstration, from Point
Pedro to the Dondra coast on Independence Day was due to the
government’s refusal to listen to the masses, said Tamil
National Alliance MP Nadarajah Raviraj.
He said it was high time the UPFA government
worked together, if not it would not only be the Tamils and
Muslims, but also Sinhalese who would resort to protesting
against them. "We hear that especially the main stake holder of
the government, the JVP is planning a major protest over the
government’s failure to consider their proposals on providing
relief to the Tsunami victims", he said.
On Independence Day, thousands of Sinhalese
Tsunami victims blocked the Galle road at Weligama in the South
while thousands of Muslim demonstrated in the main coastal towns
of Amparai alleging that the government had denied them Tsunami
aid.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) National
Organizer, MP K. A. Baiz yesterday confirmed that that thousands
of protesters had come out of mosques in Sainthamaruthu,
Malikakaddu, Niravur, Kalmunakudi, Maruthamunai and other places
after Friday prayers carrying placards and shouting slogans
against the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga and the government.
He said that the demonstrations were organised
by the Local Mosque Trust Boards. A spokesman for the protesters
alleged that nothing has come their way despite the passage of
41 days since the Tsunami though they see government politicians
laying foundations in the South.
SLMC Chairman, MP Bashar Cegu Dawood said the
government must obtain the views of the Muslims as well. "The
SLMC in planning an administrative structure to carry out
relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the North and East,
and I hope that the government would give serious thought to the
Muslim dimension and consult them", he said.
The Jaffna District Civil Groups Forum had
released a statement on Wednesday stating that Tamil people had
been living in Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon for the past
57 years as slaves under successive chauvinist governments.
Black flags were hoisted in the parts of the North East and
Jaffna University students flew black flags.
Military spokesman Brigadier Daya Ratnayake said
that the military had been beefed up in Jaffna areas and had
removed the black flags and hoisted Sri Lanka flags in their
place. He said there was nothing serious only few boycotts by
university students and protest in Amparai and Weligama.
