Protests in Matara against Darusman Report

A Buddhist monk yesterday warned of self-immolation unless UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon withdrew his Advisory Panel Report that has called for an investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Ven. Aththadassi thera, Chief Incumbent of the Bodirukkaramaya in the southern town of Matara, made the statement following a street protest yesterday morning.

"Over 5,000 people participated in the protest demonstration against the UN report. Some of them including Ven. Aththadassi Thera signed the public petition in blood.

He said he would set himself on fire if Moon took no action to withdraw the report," said Aruna Gunarathna, a ruling party politician in Matara.

The Matara public had joined the petition, signing against the three-member panel report which called for the setting up of war crimes investigation into the last stages of the military conflict with the LTTE which ended two years ago.

Sri Lanka has slammed the report as flawed and full of unverified evidence compiled by the West, using the UN as a tool to undermine Sri Lanka.

More public protests will be held today when the traditional May Day rally will be converted to project a massive show of strength against the panel report. (PTI)