 Photographs: Save Tamils Movement |
Hundreds of protestors demonstrated outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai this week, condemning the attack on Muslims by Sinhala mobs in the southern Sri Lankan town of Aluthgama.
Over 400 people were outside the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Nungambakkam, Chennai condemning the attacks and calling on the Indian government to intervene and put and end to repeated attacks by Sinhala nationalists.
Leaders from the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham and Thirumavalavan from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi were amongst those that addressed the protestors, who were joined by activists from the Save Tamils Movement.
Elangovan, a spokesperson from the Save Tamils Movement, told the Tamil Guardian,
"Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism founded by Anagrika Dharmapala in the past century was later cultivated as Sinhala Buddhist supremacism in Sri Lanka. The supremacism oppress all other ethic people in the island, be it the indigenous Eelam Tamils, Tamil Muslims or up-hill plantation Tamils since independence in 1948."
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Commenting on the recent violence, Elangovan further added,
"It is a misconception that Sinhalese only reacts to the armed struggle of Tamils for their right to self-determination. Throughout the history of Tamils in Sri Lanka, it is very evident that Sinhalese oppress attack and kill Tamils whenever it is possible. Recent attack on Tamil speaking Muslims in the southern Sri Lanka that killed 8 innocents and injured hundreds is nothing but a part of structural genocide targeted against Tamils. The recent violence led by Sinhala extremist mobs shows the genocidal intent of Sinhala Buddhist Supremacy."
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This recent attack is not out of keeping with the Sinhala nationalist ideology added Elangovan, stating,
"Five years ago, the government of Sri Lanka campaigned a genocidal war against Tamils as ‘war on terror’. That led to the bloodbath in Mullivaaikkal in 2009. But this recent riot proves that, Sinhalese extremists continue oppression in all the forms against Tamils till they complete the structural genocide against Tamils."
"It is just a matter of finding reason to deceive the International community and continue the onslaught. Only an international monitoring body can ensure the right to live for Tamil people in the island."
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