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Thursday, November 6, 2008

> Sri Lankan civil war protest


MIC Youth wing and several non-governmental organisations this morning staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Jalan Damai, off Jalan Ampang against the civil war in that island.

More than 200 people protested against the Sri Lankan government's ongoing continued air and ground attacks against Sri Lankan Tamils.

They said that these attacks resulted in innocent men, women and children being killed and maimed.

The demonstration was led by MIC Youth deputy coordinator S Murugesan and MIC Youth advisory council chairman S Ramis. MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan and S Vell Paari were present to give their moral support.

Armbands and placards 

Protestors wore black armbands while some carried placards depicting the pictures of the affected women, children and damaged houses.

The protesting entourage however did not submit a protest note to the high commission after their officials insisted on only allowing MIC Youth officials to present it.

Murugesan said that it was unacceptable as MIC Youth had already informed the high commission that they were coming together with the NGOs to hand over the memorandum.

"It seems that the high commission wants to divide the MIC Youth and the NGOs. Their condition is unacceptable," he told reporters.

Murugesan also said that they would initiate a campaign to urge Malaysians to boycott Sri Lanka products as well as the Sri Lanka Airlines.

"We would be having another demonstration with a much bigger crowd in the near future. We will show our strength," he said.

The protest started at about 10.30am and ended by 12.45 pm without any untoward incident - Malaysiakini.

At last the MIC Youth and NGOs have taken note of this forgotten war, a mere 3 hours away from Malaysia. The victims are the innocent tamils and hindus of this island nation who have been suffering for the last 30 years fighting the brutal, genocidal Sri Lankan Government. A bigger crowd can be expected if the organisers inform the public earlier - My Journal.