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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Calls for Unity on Independence Day-Warm Response in Jaffna -protest in Killinoachi
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake elaborated on how Sri Lankans could come together to forge a common identity, making the country a beautiful place to live. He made these remarks while addressing the Independence Day celebrations in Colombo.
Meanwhile, the people in Jaffna were also celebrating Independence Day, expressing in a loud voice their desire to be dignified citizens of Sri Lanka.
A National Independence Day celebration organized by the youth of Jaffna commenced near the Jaffna Fort.
The participants, carrying the national flag, marched through the streets of Jaffna in unity and enthusiasm, chanting “Jayavewa” as they celebrated this year’s Independence Day.
A retired teacher, Arulnanda Kandasamy, speaking to Lanka Newsline, stated that this year’s Independence Day celebration was the first time the people of the North wholeheartedly participated in the event.ProtestHowever, a group of protesters hoisted black flags in protest, highlighting their grievances. Arulnanda Kandasamy emphasized, “If we want to bring everyone together, these grievances must be listened to patiently.”
Protest In kilinochchi
A group of Tamil politicians and members of several voluntary organizations in the North staged a protest march in Kilinochchi, carrying black flags and chanting slogans. They had previously declared National Independence Day as a day of mourning for the residents of the Northern and Eastern provinces about a week ago.
The protestors claimed that Tamil people in the country do not have true freedom due to several issues, including the failure to resettle war orphans, the lack of justice for missing persons, land dispossession, and the continued imprisonment of Tamil political detainees. Holding banners and chanting slogans, they marched through the streets, expressing their grievances.
At the end of the march, the protestors gathered in front of the Kandhaswamy Kovil in Kilinochchi, where they also conducted a special religious observance.
Many political observers point out that the people in the North are overall responding positively protest to the President’s approach to national reconciliation. Their participation in these celebrations is seen as evidence of this shift.
Those watching the Colombo Independence Day celebrations were delighted to see the national anthem sung in Tamil at the closing of the ceremony.
