Rajapaksa reschedules 'victory day' parade for June 18

[TamilNet, Monday, 07 June 2010, 08:14 GMT]
Colombo's 'victory parade' postponed due to bad weather in May is re-scheduled to be held on June 18 at Colombo Galle Face Green, according to government sources in Colombo. The three armed forces, police, and Civil Defence Force are to participate in the parade to be held by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would mark 'Victory Day' on June 8 with Adishtana Pooja at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre, said Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, wife of General (retired) Sarath Fonseka, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army who led the Sri Lankan forces in the war against Tamils.

Ms. Anoma Fonseka added that the day, June 8, also marks four months since Fonseka was taken into custody.

Fonseka is currently being detained in the Naval Headquarters after his arrest following the defeat in last presidential election against Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Rajapaksa government earlier decided to hold the victory parade to commemorate the first anniversary of the victory in defeating the LTTE on May 20. Later, it was put off for another date due to bad weather that displaced over five hundred thousand people in the south due to floods caused by torrential rains.