Batticaloa-Amparai women stage protest meetings on Women’s day

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 March 2003, 00:05 GMT]
Thousands of young women, widows and elderly mothers participated in a large protest march followed by a general meeting organized by Batticaloa-Amparai Women’s Social Foundation on Women’s day March 8 in Batticaloa town, sources said.

Women carrying placards displaying Tamil women’s woes marched in two flanks, shouting slogans and reached the Batticaloa Kottamunai sports grounds.

The march was then followed by a public meeting at the Batticaloa Hindu College grounds.

Ms. Jacintha Thevarajah, mother of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam martyr Major Sriskandarajah lit the ceremonial flame. The meeting that started with a silent prayer in rememberance of victims of war, was presided by the head of Working Women Development Center, Ms. Thaya Thayaparan.

Kokkadichcholai Women’s Club president, Ms. Pakiyam, District cultural officer Ms.K.Thangeswary, Teacher at St.Michael College, V.Thavarajah, and the principal of Valaichenai-Puthukudiyiruppu Vaani Vidyalayam, Ms. S. Logeswary spoke.

Meanwhile, a similar protest march was also held in villages in Amparai followed by a public meeting at the Akkaraipattu Ramakrishna missions school.

Women of all ages from Tamil villages of Thirukovil, Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, Attapalam, Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Veeramunai, Naavithanveli and Thiraykerni participated in the protest, sources in Amparai said.