Nearly 1000 students participate in Jaffna peace rally

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 20:30 GMT]
More than one thousand students from schools throughout Jaffna peninsula gathered at Jaffna Central College Sunday morning to take part in a rally urging all parties to earnestly participate in the peace process. The meeting organized jointly by more than 18 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the peninsula, under the patronage of an organization named Childrens’ Friendship Association, commenced at 9:00 a.m., and lasted more than two hours.

Mr.K.Sivasamy, Additional Government Agent, Jaffna and Ms.Judith Bruno United Nations Childens Fund (UNICEF) Jaffna field office Head were special guests at the rally.

The children participating in the peace march floated colour balloons with slogans for peace in Sri Lanka. A number of children had their hands painted with the map of Sri Lanka, seeking peace throughout the island.

Heavy presence of armed forces near the venue of the meeting and tight security marked the event.

The students converging to the Central College were asked to alight from the buses they were traveling, and were subjected to stringent checking before being allowed to prioceed.

The checking was more concentrated near Pannai causeway, the organizers of the meeting said. Students from Vadamaraadchi and Thenmaraadchi too were subjected to intense search while proceeding to the meeting and also on their return.

The organizers expressed dismay that the government authorities are reluctant to support even peace marches and rallies of students.