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Tamil protests at Commonwealth Day events attended by Sirisena

British Tamils protesting outside Marlborough House in London earlier today

Commonwealth Day events in London saw protests by British Tamils, who opposed the presence of Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena.

A Commonwealth Day service was held at Westminster Abbey and was attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, alongside representatives of Commonwealth Nations including President Sirisena.

Protesters at Westminster Abbey

A reception was later hosted by Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, attended by the Queen and Prince Philip.

Both events saw protests by Tamil groups, who called for a suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth and accused President Sirisena of war crimes, due to his time as acting defence minister during the armed conflict.

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