Amparai hartal continues

[TamilNet, Friday, 11 October 2002, 09:20 GMT]
A general strike (hartal) is being observed in Ampara for the second day in protest against the killing of seven Tamil protestors by Special Task Force (STF) commandos on Wednesday at a violent demonstration at the STF camp in Kanjirankudah, sources said Friday.

Shops and schools remain closed and there is little traffic on the roads, sources in Ampara said. Black and white flags of mourning have been hoisted in the town.

Arrangements are being made for a common funeral for those who died, the sources said.

International ceasefire monitors Thursday urged public restraint in the wake of the deaths.

“The actions of everyone now must show that we can make these losses bearable by trying to contribute what we can to peace and a better future,” the head of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Major General Trond Furuhovde was quoted as saying.