Black flags, empty streets mark Independence celebrations

[TamilNet, Monday, 05 February 2001, 00:20 GMT]
Government agent of Jaffna, S. Shanmuganathan raised the national flag in Jaffna Kachcheri (administrative office) to mark the 53rd anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence on the morning of February 4. Only 15 employees of Kachcheri participated in the ceremony. Other officials including Pradhesiya Sabai members were conspicuous by their absence, sources in Jaffna said.

Independence day celebrations were also held in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) office in Jaffna. Only party officials were present. Residents of Jaffna did not participate.

Jaffna campus students flew a black flag on University's main flag pole. Presence of several black flags were also noticable in several points in and out of campus premises, according to residents of Thinnaively where the University is located. Banana trees tied to University campus entrance gates marked a day a mourning at the campus. Students distributed black arm bands to passers by at the campus main gates, residents added.

Student's Freedom Front had earlier distributed leaflets urging the public to observe February 4th as a day of mourning. Only a few vehicles and pedestrians ventured out on the streets of Jaffna through the day, sources said.