Thousands Participate In Anti-US Protests In Lanka

New Delhi, Feb 28, IRNA -- Several thousands of government supporters chanting 'hands off Lanka' Monday took to streets across Sri Lanka against US-sponsored resolution that censured Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes during battle against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Protests were held throughout the island slamming the US move at the UN Human Rights Council as interference in Sri Lanka's internal affairs. A large gathering walked to the US embassy to handover a communique amidst chants of 'hands off Lanka'. 'US, Don't Support Terrorism,' read a placard carried by a protester. Activists also carried photographs of President Mahinda Rajapakse and his defense secretary brother, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who spearheaded the military campaign that crushed Tamil rebels in May 2009 after nearly 37 years of fighting. A group of lawyers representing the ruling party also handed over a communique to UN Colombo offices. 'We pointed out that US action was a violation of Sri Lanka's sovereignty,' pti reported quoting P D Mendis, a spokesman for the group as said. Traffic was halted as large numbers of government protesters carrying national flags thronged the main business centre of Fort to condemn the US and the West for acting to undermine Sri Lanka. The US-sponsored resolution is to urge Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Sri Lanka has dubbed the resolution as unwarranted in the light of action already taken to implement the recommendations. The country's rights' record during the final battle with the LTTE was called into question by an expert panel of UN chief Ban Ki Moon./end