Anti-Govt. demonstrations in 70 towns

[TamilNet, Monday, 13 August 2001, 19:04 GMT]
Demonstrations were held in seventy towns throughout the island Monday demanding the resignation of the People's Alliance government and "the installation of an interim government to bring in democratic reforms." The People's Movement for Democracy organized these demonstrations at Galle, Kandy, Ratnapura, Matale, Polonnaruwa, Kurunagala, Kadawatte, and other important towns.

Large numbers of people participated in Monday's demonstrations, sources said.

Southern District UNP Parliamentarian Mr.Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardene said at Galle that "the mass agitation will continue until the referendum is called off and the parliament is reconvened."

The UNP leader, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, has told party cadre to continue their agitation campaign and prepare for another general election in the absence of a positive invitation from the government for serious talks on a national consensus.