Lankans in US demonstrate for peace

Sri Lankan Americans in the Greater Washington area held a mass demonstration for peace opposite the White House in Washington DC last week.

The rally was held to protest the brutal killings, ethnic cleansing and forcible recruitment of child soldiers by the LTTE, to support the Sri Lanka peace process and to commend the US administration for its recent arrests of LTTE agents in the U.S.

This event was attended by almost 250 persons cutting across ethnic and religious persuasions. Sri Lankan-Americans from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania also participated in the rally.

The demonstrators were particularly appreciative of the action take by the US administration and for its tangible support to Sri Lanka .They also highly commended the FBI for the recent investigation and for apprehending 16 LTTE agents in the US. They urged for continued vigilance to prevent US soil being used by the LTTE and its front organisations.

The rally included a colourful display of banners and placards as well as US and Sri Lankan flags and music. The main banner read ‘Sri Lanka supports the global war on terrorism’ while there were sub-banners saying, ‘FBI: Thank you for busting the LTTE’; ‘Sri Lanka Tamils Want Democracy Not Terrorism’; ‘LTTE: Stop Recruitment of Child Soldiers’; ‘Sri Lankan Americans also support the Peace Process’.