Arrest unauthorised demos - Sri Lankan Association

Walter JAYAWARDHANA

As the unauthorised demonstration of the Tamil Tigers was going into its fifth day in the parliamentary square in Westminster London the President of the Sinhala Association of Sri Lankans in the metropolis appealed to the mayor of London to order the police to arrest the leaders of the illegal movement.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party mayor of London, Douglas Wickramaratne, the President of the Sinhala Association of Sri Lankans said, `as you are fully aware the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are banned in UK as a terrorist group but demonstrators were allowed to openly display LTTE flags and carry photographs of their terrorist leader. Tamil Tiger supporters showed their arrogant disregard for British laws and openly violated it".

If proper action is not taken, he said, banned terrorist groups will rule the streets of London.

The following is the full text of the letter: "We are greatly disturbed to see that hundreds of Tamil Sri Lankans were allowed to demonstrate outside Parliament and also block Westminster Bridge causing huge chaos and inconvenience to the public. We understand that the demonstration was not authorised by the Police. Demonstration, in the guise of raising concerns for the civilians trapped in the Tamil Tiger controlled area, was a brazen attempt to help the Tigers. As you are fully aware Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are banned in UK as a terrorist group but demonstrators were allowed to openly display LTTE flags and carry photographs of their terrorist leader. Tamil Tiger supporters showed their arrogant disregard for British laws and openly violated it.

"We all know that the civilian population in the uncleared area in the East of Sri Lanka is held by the Tigers as a human shield. Large numbers of Tamils in UK are here as refugees and many are staying illegally. They would not want peace in Sri Lanka as then, they may face deportation.

We appeal to you to uphold the laws of the land and prosecute the leaders of this illegal demonstration, otherwise the banned terrorist organisations would rule the streets of London".