High cost of living brings protesters to Colombo streets

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 February 2003, 13:19 GMT]
Party members and parliamentarians of the main opposition party of Sri Lanka Parliament, People’s Alliance (PA) held a protest demonstration against high of cost of living under United National Front Government (UNF), on Monday afternoon in down town Colombo, sources in the capital city said.

Hundreds of protesters carrying traditional and home-made musical instruments participated in what PA termed 'Jana Gosha' (sound protest) held in several places in Colombo, including Lipton Square and Kaduwela Juntion in down town Colombo where the biggest crowds were seen.

The demonstrators carried placards with slogans condemning the high price for bread, oil, gas, telephone and electricity bills, and generally food items that adversely affected the living conditions of the poor.

The protesters questioned how people can survive under UNF government where prices of essential items are continuously on the rise while the incomes stayed stagnant.

Prominent PA leaders were not seen participating in the protest, according to sources in Colombo. Internal party sources said, the protest was essentially a one man show of Mahinda Rajapakse, the opposition leader.