Buddhist monks demand expulsion of Norwegian ambassador

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 February 2003, 21:57 GMT]
The National Bhikku Front (NBF) Wednesday held a demonstration in Colombo, demanding that the government put a halt to foreign mediation in finding a solution to the ethnic conflict, sources said. The protest march commenced at the Fort Bodhirajarama Buddhist Vihare Wednesday afternoon and ended at the Foreign Ministry office.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks participated in the protest march. They also demanded the expulsion of the Norwegian ambassador in Sri Lanka, Mr.Jon Westborg, charging that he was "involved in dividing the country", sources said.

On arrival at the office of the Foreign Ministry, a delegation of the NBF led by its General Secretary, Rev. Kalmangala Chandananda Thera, handed over a memorandum to the ministry's official, sources said

Heated arguments ensued between the police and the protestors when the traffic movement was halted as protestors disregarded the instructions of the police, sources said.

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