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| Sunday, 5 October 2003 |
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'One Country - One Voice' : main slogan at the PNP march by Deepal Warnakulasuriya The five day Kandy to Colombo march, organised by the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) and led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna concluded at the Lipton Circle on Wednesday with more of a whimper than the expected roar. The march was in protest against interim administration proposal offered by the government to the LTTE, which the NPM views as a betrayal of the country's sovereignty. The march began at 8.30 a.m. in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy on September 27 and reached Colombo on October 1, after stopovers in Mawanella, Warakapola, Nittambuwa and Kadawatha. People's Alliance MPs Mangala Samaraweera, Dinesh Gunawardena, Arjuna Ranatunga, Jeyarj Fernandopullei, Dilan Perera and Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana along with their supporters joined the NPM protest march at the last day from Kiribathgoda, Borella, Maradana and several other locations. However, JVP stalwarts were seen daily in front of the precession guiding and encouraging the participants. North-Central Province Governor Jagath Balasuriya, former Western Province Chief Minister Susil Munasinghe, veteran author Gunadasa Amarasekara, former Supreme Court Judge R. S. Wanasundara were also seen in the procession in several occasions. More than 200 student monks joined the march in front of Kelaniya University representing the Inter-University Bkikku Federation and Prof. Kamburupitiye Wajira Thera, Ven. Elle Gunawansha Thera and Sri Jayewardenapura University lecturer Ven. Dambara Amila Thera also joined along with over 500 bhikkus.JVP Colombo District Parliamentarian and Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa addressing the rally at the conclusion of the march said that it was not another political propaganda, but was initiated to save the country under the slogan of "One country - one voice". He also said the march proceeded under the national flag and this would be the force coming forward to defeat the UNF government and save the motherland. But, at the same time he added that the JVP had no intention of toppling the government, just to gain power.Gampaha district MP (PA) Anura Bandaranaike addressing the gathering vowed that the delayed alliance between the SLFP and the JVP would definitely succeed. Ven. Elle Gunawansha Thera, Dinesh Gunawardena, Arjuna Ranatunga and several others also addressed the gathering. |
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