Trincomalee observes hartal in protest against Pararajasingham's killing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 December 2005, 13:01 GMT]
Trincomalee Tamil speaking people Tuesday observed a general shut down in response to the call by the Trincomalee district Tamil Resurgence Committee condemning the assassination of Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham and killings of Tamil civilians in their homeland, and demanding the withdrawal of government armed forces deployed in Trincomalee violating the Ceasefire Agreement, sources said.

Black flags were seen hoisted on houses and other buildings. All roads were deserted with out civilian and vehicular movements except troops of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy at every junction in the east port city and its suburbs. State and private bus stands are seen deserted without commuters and empty buses parked. General market owned by the Trincomalee Urban Council (UC) and managed by Sinhala vendors against the rules and regulations of the council is deserted.

Offices of the North East Provincial Council ministries and departments were closed down as workers failed to report for duty. The office of the Trincomalee UC and Trincomalee Pradesiya Sabah (PS) were closed down.

Business establishments of all the three communities were closed down and branches of State and private banks did not operate. Few workers reported for work in the central government controlled government departments, which are located inside the Fort Frederick Offices of the national and international level non-government organizations were also closed down, sources said.