Joint opposition protest in Colombo 
[March 11, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

The joint opposition protest gathered a massive crowd to Colombo yesterday and demonstrated peacefully despite information received that saboteurs had planned to create communal disturbances in the city during the rally.

Amidst tight security, the demonstrators protested against the increased cost of living and shortcomings in the Ceasefire Agreement.

Addressing the crowd at the Town Hall Grounds Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse said that the Government had still not done anything to reduce the high cost of living, which is a burden on the people.

"Although the Government says that the peace process has brought fruitful results, the LTTE is going from strength to strength under the guise of peace. It will not benefit the country," Rajapakse added.

The JVP Propaganda Secretary, Wimal Weerawansa said that the Agreement between the Government and the LTTE has given too many concessions to the LTTE to further their separatist objectives.

"If the Agreement signed by the Government is successful and a peaceful atmosphere is prevailing in the country how can the LTTE be allowed to bring arms and ammunition to the country," he asked.

According to the Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera the demonstration was the biggest ever protest rally since independence.

However the Lanka Samasamaja party and the Communist party did not take part in the protest claiming that it was against their stand on the ethnic issue.  

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Last Updated Date: March 11, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.