2nd Lead (Adds photos)

Massive crowds pack Mannar Pongu Thamil

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 October 2003, 13:55 GMT]
More than thirty thousand people packed the Mannar town grounds Wednesday for Pongu Thamil Wednesday. Large processions led by political and religious leaders started from three corners of the Mannar town at 3. 30 p.m. and converged on the ground one hour later. "We want our land", "soldiers! Go back to your homes", the marchers shouted.

The processions were led by Sri Lanka's Minister for Community Development, Mr.Periyasamy Chandrasekaran, Tamil National Alliance MPs Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan (Vanni), Mr. Nadarajah Raviraj (Jaffna), Mr.Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy (Jaffna), Mr. Chandra Nehru (Amparai), Mr. Sivasakthi Ananthan (Vanni) Mr."Vellimalai" Krishnapillai (Batticaloa), Mr.S.Thurairatnasingham (Trincomalee) and the Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph.



The processions started from St. Sebastian Church, St.Xavierís College and Bazaar Street in Mannar town.




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