Protest shuts down Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 October 2000, 13:25 GMT]
Shops, schools and government offices were closed and streets were almost deserted in Batticaloa town Monday in response to a call by a student organisation protesting against the activities of anti-Tamil forces and opportunists.

A leaflet issued this weekend by the group called the Independent Students' Front said that the Tamils should protest against groups "collaborating with the Sri Lankan government to destroy Tamil national interests".

Police sources in Batticaloa said that the protest may not seriously affect polling tomorrow as transport would be normal. They pointed out that the student organisation has not asked the people to boycott the elections.