February 4, a day of mourning - student body

[TamilNet, Saturday, 03 February 2001, 14:49 GMT]
Tamil people must observe 4th of February, Sri Lanka's Independence day, as a day of mourning, said Student's Freedom Front, in a leaflet distributed today in Batticaloa. "It is the day when rights were denied to Tamil people, when national aspirations of Tamils were denied and when Tamil people lost their freedom and reduced to slave status," the leaflet further said.

More excerpts from the leaflet follow:

"A political solution based on the right to self determination of Tamils is the only viable solution to the current conflict. Therefore, students have the duty to awaken the tamil people and guide them towards winning their rights.

"Students are determined to move forward the non-violent, peaceful mode of struggle. Hartal of January 20 was a manifestation of this effort. Student community wish to express dissatisfaction with the actions of a few who have failed to understand the depth of our conviction. We would never allow us to be used as pawns by anyone.

"There is hidden agenda behind music concerts and other festivals being organized by the security forces. These events are cunning ploys designed to divert the minds of Tamil people and students from actively engaging in our struggle. We urge you to avoid falling into this trap.

"We are fully committed to continue to advance our non-violent struggle to gain our political rights. People united by the same ideals and who have risen against tyranny cannot be vanquished by any force; our victory will prove this maxim to be true," the leaflet said.