Colombo, March 19, 2013
PTI
AP
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks representing “Sinhala Ravaya” or 'the voice of
Sinhalase' shout slogans during a protest outside the Indian High Commission in
Colombo on Tuesday.
Sinhala Ravaya, a Sinhalese Buddhist pressure
group, on Tuesday staged a march to the Indian High Commission in Colombo to
protest the repeated attacks against Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu.
Several dozens of monks and civilians handed
over a petition to the Indian mission seeking Indian government’s intervention
to prevent the attacks.
“The LTTE cadres who have killed many civilians
Buddhist monks...are now enjoying the facilities provided by the government
after being rehabilitated.
“While there is such a situation in Sri Lanka,
we regret that the Indian government has not taken any action to stop these
uncivilised actions against Sinhala Buddhists”, a statement by Sihala Ravaya
said.
Two Buddhist monks had come under attacks in
Tanjavur and in Chennai on Monday, triggering protests in Colombo.
Sri Lanka said it has sought from India
protection for the Sri Lankan travellers and the island’s interest in view of
the protests which have mounted to coincide with decision time for India over
the anti-Sri Lanka resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The protest came just hours ahead of an Indian
High Commission statement which said “We have noted with concern the recent
incidents involving Sri Lankan citizens in Tamil Nadu. The Government of India,
in consultation with the concerned State governments, has taken and will
continue to take all measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of
Sri Lankan visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu”.
