Representatives of 19 political parties, Tamils rights groups and few activists congregated in front of the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai on Wednesday to protest against the invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend the British Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next week in London.
The protestors also presented a petition to the Deputy High Commissioner urging Britain to withdraw the invitation and expel Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth of Nations.
“In the light of credible allegations by the UN, we Tamils demand that the UK government, as an esteemed defender of human rights, should take the lead role in urging the international community to bring Mr Rajapaksa to justice for his explicit crimes against humanity,” the memorandum said.
Among the leaders who participated in the protest were Mallai Sathya of MDMK, Ki Venkatraman of Tamil Desiya Pothuvudamai Katchi, Dheeran of Tamilaka Vaalvurimai Katchi, Mahendiran of CPI, Haroon Rashid of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Se Packiyarajan of Naam Tamilar Iyakkam, Paventhan of Tamil Nationalist Front, Thabasi Kumaran of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Prof Sarasvathi of Friends of TGTE, film director Pugalenthi, Thirumurugan and Prof Purushothaman of MAY 17 Movement.