The United States (US) Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz has questioned the lack of media coverage on the recent protest march, staged to create awareness on social issues, from Pottuvil in Ampara to Point Pedro in Jaffna.
In a Tweet, Teplitz remarked that Tamil media had covered the protest march, but wondered why the event was not given such coverage by Colombo-based media.
She further said peaceful protests are an important right in any democracy, adding that significant and legitimate concerns should be heard.
The protest march was held from Pottuvil to Polikandy in Jaffna to create awareness on the rights of the people in the North and East.
Tamil National Alliance MP M. A. Sumanthiran said the protest march was conducted to object the opposition raised against the Tamils in the North and East, the Government’s constant restrictions on minorities, land grabbing in the North, to demand the release of Tamil political prisoners, against the Government’s forced cremation policy of Covid victims, and all other human rights violations in the country.
The awareness protest march commenced on Wednesday (03) amidst heavy rains and many obstacles, and concluded on Saturday (06). Thousands are reported to have joined the protest march on the final day.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security, Law and Order Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara has said action will be taken against those who had participated in the event.
As the first step, the Minister had instructed the removal of the Special Task Force personnel assigned as special security for TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran. (NewsWire)
