Black flags flown in Northeast on Sri Lanka's Independence Day

[TamilNet, Friday, 04 February 2005, 06:10 GMT]
Black flags were hoisted in many parts of the Sri Lanka's northeast in protest against the country's independence day. Jaffna University students flew black flags and decorated University's main entrance with curry plantain trees which are used by Tamils at funerals. Sri Lanka army soldiers were deployed in the area, as the military beefed up security in many parts of the northern peninsula. Sri Lankan Army and the Police were seen removing black flags in Vavuniya town.

Black flag flown at the entrance of Confederation of public organisations

Lion flags flown by SLA

Meanwhile, a bitter altercation broke out between an SLA officer and Mr. S. Gajendran MP at the protest meeting before the Tellipalai Divisional Secretary's officer. The MP intervened when the SLA officer ordered the organiser of the protest to leave the stage and meet him.

The officer withdrew from the scene as a large number of people who had gathered around him started protesting.

In Batticaloa, the Sri Lanka army deployed additional troops in the eastern town in anticipation of public protests. No incidents were reported until noon Friday.

In Vavuniya, a low key indepndence day function was held at the District Secretariat.

Lion flags were flown at all Sri Lanka armed forced garrisons in Jaffna to mark independence day.

The Singhalese consider the sword bearing lion as their eponymous ancestor.

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