Thousands at Jaffna peace rally

[TamilNet, Friday, 31 October 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The peace rally in the Jaffna town organised by the Jaffna Diocese Committee for Peace and Justice which began around 4.30 p.m. today drew more than seven thousand people. Sources said this was unprecedented since the SLA moved in two years ago.

Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Sauvundranayagam addressed the gathering at St. Mary's church later in the evening today.

The following are excerpts from his speech (in Tamil) this evening.

"We only asked for our rights. We did not seek electricity, buses and telephones. The government should respect human lives. "

"Everyday in the Vanni at least forty children faint in schools due to starvation. We cannot allow this war to go on. More than fifty thousand people have died. "

"Peace need not come from us. It is up to the government to put forward a constructive plan for peace. We are dying slowly in our struggle for equality."

"Therefore it is the government that should provide the medicine. It should not sell the country for selfish profit."

"The people should be a bridge for peace"

The bishop's address was followed by a drama. TamilNet's Jaffna correspondent who covered the rally this evening said that the drama was critical of US involvement in the war in Sri Lanka.

He said the Bishop's statement that the government should not sell the country for selfish profit was seen by those present as a veiled reference to the US government's current relationship with the Sri Lankan government.


Related Articles:
29.10.97   Jaffna church plans protest rally

 

Latest 15 Reports
24.04.22 05:44  
தீவின் நெருக்கடிச் சூழலில் ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசம் கடைப்பிடிக்கவேண்டிய நிலைப்பாடுகள்
09.04.22 14:44   Photo
குறிதவறும் ஈழத்தமிழர் தலைமைகளுக்கு வரலாறு தருகின்ற எச்சரிக்கை
21.01.22 07:24   Photo
ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசத்தின் தலைமைத்துவம் தேர்தல் அரசியற் கட்சிகளுக்கு அப்பாலானது
02.11.21 15:32   Photo
13 ஆம் சட்டத்திருத்தத்தால் கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட இன அழிப்பை எதிர்கொள்ள முடியுமா?
15.09.21 08:19  
English version not available
17.05.21 19:23   Photo
Ananthi blames war criminal Silva for blocking collective memorial at Mu'l'livaaykkaal
09.04.21 14:46  
English version not available
23.03.21 12:41   Photo
No focus on Tamil genocide, geopolitics gets played out in Geneva in favour of QUAD formation
21.03.21 13:34   Photo
Navi Pillay explains ‘human rights’ limitations in Geneva on Tamil genocide
15.03.21 20:36   Photo
Deceived Tamil activists in UK falsely claimed ‘substantial changes’ to Zero draft
09.03.21 21:34   Photo
UK repeatedly wronged Tamils says hunger-striker, demands genocide justice
26.02.21 11:53   Photo
Tamils witness false dilemma in Geneva as geopolitical formations pit against each other
19.02.21 14:02   Photo
UK not prepared to push for ICC option in new UNHRC Resolution
07.02.21 23:16   Photo
Unprecedented P2P uprising paves the way for rights-oriented politics of Tamils and Muslims
22.01.21 08:01   Photo
Gotabaya sets up deceptive COI citing ‘sovereignty’ and ‘non-aligned’ foreign policy
 
Find this article at:
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=199