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'Tamil Eelam is the only solution' - Tamils protest in London on Sri Lanka's Independence Day

Over 1,000 Tamils rallied through central London today to mark Sri Lanka's independence day as a 'black day' for the Tamil nation. 

For decades, the Tamil nation have rejected the day as they continue to be oppressed by the Sri Lankan state and lack basic rights. 

The demonstration began outside Sri Lankan's High Commission in central London, where the protesters held the national flag of Tamil Eelam outside the High Commission as they chanted “Sri Lankan government - terrorist government! Our leader - Prabhakaran, our nation - Tamil Eelam!”

Protesters held placards that read 'Tamil Eelam is the only solution' and 'Not just war crimes, it's planned genocide' amongst many others. 

The rally then left the High Commission and moved through Hyde Park Place, Marble Arch, Trafalgar Square before heading to Parliament Square. 

Addressing the crowd at Parliament Square, Jensiya Junis, the International Diplomatic Council of Tamil Eelam's UK Advocacy Officer said that while Sri Lanka celebrates its independence from Britain, it marked the beginning of a dark period for the Tamil nation. 

The song 'Nampungal Tamil Eelam Naalai Pirakkum' - believe it, Tamil Eelam will be born - was played to conclude the rally. 

See more photographs from the protest below:

 

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