UNP holds demonstration in Colombo

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 23:27 GMT]
United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians, thousands of party cadres and activists joined a mass demonstration to protest against the worsening economic situation under the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government in front of the Colombo Fort railway station for nearly two hours Friday.

UNP parliamentarian Rajith Senaratne shouting the anti government slogans, Parliamentarian Ravi Karunayeke and former beauty queen Mrs. Rossi Sennayake seen behind

Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha district UNP supporters started the demonstration at about 3 pm, sources said.

Placards carried by the demonstrators protested against the increasing cost of living, wanted increase in salaries and demanded the UPFA to take steps to find a solution to the burning ethnic conflict.

UNP parliamentarians Professor G.L.Peris, Mr. Gamini Lokuge, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Ravi Karunayake, Tissa Attanayake, John Amarathunga, Bandula Gunawardana, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Maheswaran and many UNP provincial Council members participated demonstration.

UNP Parliamentarians addressing the party supporters said, this is the first step towards toppling the UPFA Government.

Leader of UNP and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya did not participate in the demonstration.




Demonstrators carrying placards and shouting the slogans

Demonstrators sing anti-government songs

Demonstrators carrying dummies of Chandrika Kumaratunga and Wimal Weerawansa

Parliamentarians Bandula Gunawardana and Dayasiri Jayasekara