2nd Lead (Adds photos)

UNP activists demonstrate in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 October 2004, 09:21 GMT]
United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians including hundreds of party cadres and activists joined in what is dubbed as “Kitchen Revolution," Tuesday in Kollupitiya junction, Slave Island junction, Hyde Park Corner, Maradana overhead bridge junction, Technical College junction and Kochchikade St Anthony’s Church junction, sources in Colombo said.

Placards carried by the demonstrators protested against the increasing cost of living, wanted increase in salaries and demanded the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to take immediate steps to find a solution to the ethnic conflict.

The demonstrations are aimed at "opening the eyes of the Government," said the organizers of the protest. People are undergoing immense suffering due to economic slump caused by the inaction of the Govt. in regard to the peace process, the protesters said.

UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Rajitha Senaratne addressing the party supporters in Kollupitya junction said, "We will surround the President palace and send the home UPFA government March of next year. After that UNP will build up new North-South government."

Parliamentarian Mr. Hemakumara Nanyakkara shouting slogans against the UPFA government

UNP parliamentarians Professor G.L.Peris, Mr. Gamini Lokuge, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Mr. Hemkumara Nanyakkara, Mr. Sagala Rathnayaka and Mr. Laksman Yapa Karunarathna participated Kollupitya junction demonstration.

UNP organizers said that a people’s campaign is to be launched in November and also that additional campaigns will be held this month in Kandy, Anuradhapura, Matara, Galle, Badulla, Ratnapura and Chilaw.