TN attacks bring protestors to the streets here

Several nationalist groups held protests in Colombo last week over the attacks on two Buddhist monks in India.

On Tuesday, around 200 members of Sinhala Rawaya marched to the Indian High Commission from the Liberty Plaza roundabout in Kollupitiya. The demonstrators—predominantly Buddhist monks and students— handed over a petition to the High Commission requesting the Indian Government to prevent attacks on monks, pilgrims and students.

There was tension when police tried to disperse the demonstrators who were disrupting traffic along Galle Road. Similar scenes were observed throughout the week with protest-after-protest causing heavy vehicular congestion.

“As Buddhists, we have a right to visit the birthplace of the Buddha,” a protestor said adding, “We condemn attacks on our Buddhist monks by anti-Buddhist rioters.”

“Stupid Karunanidhi, take off your dark glasses and look at the North and East of Sri Lanka. See how people live in peace and harmony,” read one of the many placards carried by protestors. Ven. Magal Kande Sudaththa Thera, one of the leaders of Sinhala Rawaya, said many monks were currently on pilgrimage in India while others had gone there for study programmes. They were forced to disguise themselves to escape the wrath of Indian rioters.

“We ask the Indian Government to provide security to our people in India, especially in the South,” he said. “Some rioters are going from bus to bus in search of Buddhists. This has to stop.”

The Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya—or the National Council of Sanghas—held a news conference the same day. They urged the Sri Lankan Government to ban further travel to Tamil Nadu.

The Ravana Balaya group also marched to the Indian High Commission in protest on Wednesday, while one of its representatives held a discussion with Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha.

Ven. Iththakande Sadhdhatissa Thera, the convener, said his group wanted a clear commitment from Mr. Kantha regarding the attacks. If a favourable reply was not forthcoming, they would continue with their protests.

The same day, around 150 Tamil businessmen from Pettah walked in peaceful procession from Galle Face to the Indian High Commission. This group, too, handed over a petition to the Indian High Commission calling for an end to the attacks on Buddhist monks and laypersons in Tamil Nadu.