Protest held in Colombo against abductions

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 March 2007, 12:45 GMT]
The Committee for Finding the Disappeared Persons of New Democratic Front (NDF) held a protest campaign at Company Street Junction in Colombo around 4:00 p.m. Thursday demanding the immediate stop to human rights violations and disappearances. More than hundred activists including the relatives of the disappeared participated in the one-hour long event. More than ten children carried the portraits of their disappeared fathers, sources in Colombo said.

The members of United Women Federation expressed dismay that they are compelled to demand justice in the streets even on International Women’s Day.

The activists displayed placards and shouted slogans including, "2000 people were abducted in Mahinda regime. Is this ‘Mahinda Chinthana?" and "The reign of terror of the government!"

"When complaints were raised that human rights violations were on the rise in the country, the Sri Lanka Government denied any involvement. Now, the Director General of Police has admitted that armed forces are involved in the abductions and killings. We urge the government to take urgent steps to stop the abductions," an activist at the protest campaign said.

The Leader of New Democratic Front, Vikramabahu Karunaratne, said, “Sri Lankans are facing great difficulties under Mahinda Chinthana. As a responsible President, Mr Rajapakse should take necessary actions to stop killings and bring a climate of normality."