The Tamil Federation of Gauteng (TFG) has moved their protest against the persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka, to Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
This was done after a last-minute withdrawal of permission to stage a peaceful protest opposite the Pretoria hotel where the Sri Lankan High Commission was celebrating the country’s 64th Independence Day.
Local community leaders, surrounded by scores of placard carrying supporters, joined officials of the TFG to lay a symbolic wreath at the Signet Terrace in Lenasia on Saturday.
It was in memory of the estimated 100 000 Tamil people killed during the three-decade civil war.
“Today, February 4, 2012, Sri Lanka celebrates Independence Day and projects to the world that it has a stable country with a democracy. But while it looks fine from the outside, within the country it has inequality among its citizens, no freedom of speech or association, people in transit camps, and no meaningful democracy,” TFG President Nadas Pillay, told those gathered.
“With this oppressive regime we see a ray of hope that comes from the United Nations report.
“We in particular would like to emphasise the fundamental recommendation from the report that highlights the call for an international investigation within Sri Lanka.”
Said Pillay: “Today we lay this wreath for all the people that have lost their lives, people that were persecuted, mercilessly killed, and for those people that to date have families who don’t know if they are dead or alive. Our role is to create awareness to the people of South Africa and the world.”
He called for Sri Lankan leaders responsible for atrocities against their fellow citizens to be brought to justice.
“Therefore we are asking the South African Government and other governments that are part of the Security Council to vote in favour of an international investigation. This fight is not about the Tamil-speaking people but a fight for humanity.”
Palestinian Solidarity Organisation representative, Naazim Adam, pledged support for the call by the TFG.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner Shehan Ratnavala, who is himself of Tamil origin, said that such protests were not helpful at a stage when his government was making every effort to win the peace back.
He invited the leaders of the TFG and other protesters to visit Sri Lanka and see for themselves the efforts that are being made to establish peace. - Post