It was another jubilant victory for the patriotic Sri
Lankans in the UK when they took to the streets of
London waving flags of the Lion, today. The mass peace
march was organised to commemorate the dawning of peace
in Sri Lanka and to show the strength of the Sri Lankan
Diaspora in UK who wholeheartedly is grateful for ending
terrorism in the motherland. The procession consisted of
all races, faiths and walks of life upholding
solidarity, amidst the threats of LTTE operatives in
London. Despite short notice, crowds gathered in Tothill
Street since 11.30am and started moving at 1.00pm
towards Embankment via Broad Sanctuary, Parliament
Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, Back to Victoria,
covering 2 miles of a walk
‘Journey towards peace and
unity in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankans lets march forward
as one nation’, a few of the banners read.
Furthermore, the march carried a banner of President
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who launched the victorious
humanitarian operations with the greatest opposition
of certain western countries including the UK, being
under the spell of LTTE lobbyists and propaganda.
Nevertheless it’s common knowledge that UK extended
military assistance to the armed forces of Sri Lanka
worth millions of pounds.
Halfway through the march a petition with hundreds of
signatures, addressed to the Prime Minister Rt. Hon
Gordon Brown MP was handed in at his residence, no.10,
Downing Street. The petition recognised the British
Government’s support to eliminate terrorism in Sri Lanka
by having listed the LTTE as banned organisation in the
UK. On the other hand it spoke of shortfalls of the
British government to implement the Anti-Terrorism act
against LTTE supporters in UK. Further it requested the
halting of all anti-Sri Lankan activities taking place,
bringing false allegations based on distorted
information. The petition highlighted the following: to
take action decisively to stop anti-Sri Lankan campaigns
organised by the pro-LTTE elements, which leads to
polarization of communities destroying the foundations
of multi-cultureralism, to support initiatives taken by
the government of Sri Lanka to restore peace and harmony
in Sri Lanka which is a former colony, a friendly and a
founder member of the commonwealth, and to extend UK’s
fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka in multi-lateral fora
in its endeavours.
LTTE supporters in London have
been occupying the Westminster parliament square for
months carrying out illegal protest and hunger
strikes, misleading the British public with banners,
posters and LTTE flags. They have turned out be an
eye soar in the heart of London inconveniencing the
flow of traffic and pedestrians in the area, not to
mention the devastating affects on tourism. It is a
well-known fact that a few politicians are
encouraging these activities in return for votes and
other favours.
Tributes were paid to the gallant forces of Sri
Lanka and the police who made huge sacrifices to
rescue the innocent Tamil civilians and country from
the clutches of separatist Tamil Tiger terrorism.
The march ended at the Embankment with a vote of thanks
being delivered by the organisers of the event, Sri
Lankans Against Terrorism(SLAT), UK, who have become
victims of LTTE assaults recently. They thankfully
acknowledged the presence of all despite their personal
commitments.
