2ND LEAD (UPATE)

Rajapaksa's proposed speech at Economic Forum cancelled

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 June 2012, 21:16 GMT]
The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) cancelled the morning sessions of the Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth Economic Forum where genocide accused Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was due to speak Wednesday. On their site, the CBC stated that “After careful consideration the morning sessions of the Forum on Wednesday 6th of June have been cancelled and will not take place.” However, informed sources told TamilNet that the event was cancelled owing to fear of massive protests at the venue of Mansion House, which is near the Bank area in London, and problems of policing a demonstration of large proportions.

The SL President will still be attending a lunch hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General at Marlborough House at Pall Mall in honour of the Queen.

Tamil protests are scheduled to happen outside Mansion House and outside Marlborough House at the timing of the lunch and as well at Rajapaksa’s residence at the Hilton hotel from Wednesday morning.

Chronology: