Demonstration against Norwegian involvement

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 March 2000, 10:56 GMT]
Nearly ten-thousand people demonstrated in Colombo today, protesting against Norway's role in resolving Sri Lanka's's conflict. The protestors also urged the government to make public its dealings with the opposition and the Norwegian government about starting negotiations with the Liberation Tigers.

Buddhist monks lead a protest outside the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo, March 15, 2000. Photo:AP

The demonstration was organised by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist party, which is considered as a third political force in the island.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Lipton Circus near downtown Colombo and marched towards Hyde Park, shouting slogans against talks with the facilitation of Norway to end the ethnic conflict in the island. A rally was held at the Hyde Park.

JVP's General Secretary Mr. Tilvin Silva and the party's Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawanse led the protest march.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo last week, Mr.Tilvin Silva, said that his party did not approve of Norway's role in resolving Sri Lanka's conflict because the Oslo accord on the Palestine peace process was really partial to Israel.

Women carry placards during a protest march in Colombo, March 15, 2000. Photo:AP

JVP has announced that it would organise a country wide protests against Norway's involvement.

Yesterday nearly 200 people, representing several Sinhala extremist organizations, demonstrated outside the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ward Place.