Protest campaign to be held in Colombo against India's SSCP

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 August 2005, 09:32 GMT]
Two protest campaigns against the implementation Sedusamudram Ship Canal Project (SSCP) by the Government of Indian are to be conducted in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital Tuesday and Wednesday this week. One protest campaign will be held in front of the Indian High Commission in Colombo on August 23 and the other in front of the Fort Railway Station on August 24. People's Movement Against SSCP and the Green Movement of Sri Lanka are organizing the campaigns.

People's Movement Against SSCP spokesman said that Tuesday protest is to be token one but his organization would continue to agitate against the SSCP until the Government of India expresses its willingness to hear the opposition raised by some environmental groups in Sri Lanka, sources said.

Spokesman further said at the conclusion of the protest campaign, a memorandum would be handed over to Ms Nirupama Rao, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka against the SSCP.

Mr.Suranjan Kodithuwakku, Chief Organizer of the Green Movement of Sri Lanka said with the implementation of SSCP both countries would undergo serious environmental and, social impacts according to a study by a group of scientists.

Fishermen of Mannar and Jaffna have already voiced their opposition to the implementation of the SSCP by the Government of India.