Artistes protest PA assaults

[TamilNet, Friday, 17 December 1999, 19:39 GMT]
A group of Sinhala artistes demonstrated at Lipton Circus in Colombo today around noon, protesting against the alleged assault on some of them by supporters of the ruling People's Alliance, sources said.

Sinhala artistes demonstrate at Lipton Circus in Colombo, 17 December 1999.Photo:TamilNet

The artists held placards condemning the Sri Lankan government for unleashing violence against them. They were also shouting anti-government slogans.

Government sources claimed that supporters of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) were behind the demonstration.

Meanwhile an effigy of Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge was burnt in Jaffna town today afternoon by a group of persons, residents said.

A large gathering witnessed the event that took place in the Jaffna bus stand.

Organisers said the President must take the responsibility for the disappearances of persons arrested by the Army after the Riviressa military operation in the peninsula in 1995.

Artistes distributing pamphlets to soldiers during demonstration, 17 December 1999Photo:TamilNet

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organiser for the Jaffna District, Velmurugu Thangarajah, speaking to the gathering said many Tamils were burnt down on road sides during the 17 year long UNP rule.

The SLFP is the largest member of the ruling coalition.

A group of government supporters led by Thangarajah burnt an effigy of Ranil Wickremasinghe, presidential candidate of the United National Party, in the heart of Jaffna town.