The busy capital of the United Kingdom -London came to a standstill yesterday (17.5.98) as the peace loving people of Sri Lanka marched across the streets of Central London in unity to show their solidarity against Tamil Tiger Terrorism, that is destroying Sri Lanka.

Over 6000 Sri Lankans travelled down from places as far as Scotland, Norfolk, Manchester and Birmingham in coach loads to participate in the march. There was one family that had travelled from Belgium especially for the March, another family with their eleven day old infant joined in, when asked they said they wanted to show their support so that one day their babe could live in a peaceful Sri Lanka free of tamil Tiger Terrorists. Several of Sri Lanka's European friends as well came to reaffirm their support for their favourite country.

Hyde Park corner which was the assembly point for the marchers was a riot of colour with the vibrant colours of the Sri Lankan flag, the colourful placards and balloons, bringing colour to the park. It was a sight to behold several hundreds of Sri Lankans, belonging to all walks of life and ages, some renewing old friendships, some making new friends it was indeed one big united happy family.

The placards were very effective with powerful messages printed on them. One of the placards carried a picture of Tony Blair with the caption "Clinton Banned Tamil Terror why not Blair?" Another had a picture of various types of drugs, a syringe and a small scale with the caption "Tamil Tigers are drug smugglers." "Child killers" and "Gandhi Killers" were just some of the slogans on the placards. There were over 800 placards for the people to carry and over 3000 Sri Lankan flags. Apart from that there were 40 massive Sri Lankan flags which were held up high, fluttering gracefully in the gentle warm breeze of a very hot sunny day, for all of London to see.

At the front of the march were two people in Tiger outfits with placards..." Thank you London for hiding my terrors" after that there were two Kandyan drummers who really gave the rhythm for the people to chant.

There were several megaphones in the crowd and the chanting was never ending and deafening. "Tony Blair where is your flair...... Ban Ban Tamil Terror. Child Killers, Baby killers, Gandhi killers, people killers, drug smugglers... ban ban Tamil terror. "USA banned, Canada banned, Malaysia banned, India banned.....Tony Blair do the same aney Blair do the same", were some of the slogans that were chanted. Leaflets with an accurate, informative and factual message about the horrors of Tamil Tiger terrorism and the crimes they commit were handed out to passers by. The appeal of the march was so intense that people from Hotels like the Dorchester and the Hilton in Park Lane spilled out on to the streets to watch this unique procession go by. As the march snaked through the streets passing the legendary Hard Rock cafe the diners came out on to the streets and stared swaying to the rhythms of the Kandyan drums that led the procession..... Some of the passers by joined in the procession while the others took photographs. Londoners and her visitors were treated to a spectacle they had never ever seen before. London is often the venue for various marches and protests but this was a sight that London had never experienced or seen before.

The march concluded at Trafalgar square, where a speech was given by Tina Edwards, which highlighted all the various atrocities committed by the Tamil tiger terrorists. There was raptous applause every time the speaker stated that the Tamil Tiger terrorists must be banned. A member of parliament Mr Pollard from Hatfield spoke a few words and said that he was moved by the emotive speech given, he said he has many Sri Lankan friends both Sinhala and Tamil and was saddened by all this violence. He also said that he is to make a visit to Sri Lanka shortly and on his return he would inform the Blair Government that steps must be taken to ban terrorism.

The main organiser behind this event Mr Gamini Keerthichandra then addressed the crowd and thanked them for coming. The historic occasion concluded with the National anthem being sung and the releasing of over 3000 helium filled yellow balloons with a powerful message BAN TAMIL TEROR IN UK printed across them.

The march achieved two of its main objectives which was to unite the Sri Lankans in the United Kingdom and also to pass the message that Tamil Tiger terrorism must be banned in the UK.

Yesterday while the Sinhalese people raised their voices and roared against Tamil Tiger terrorists in the United Kingdom, the people of Britain stood meekly and listened to the powerful message that reverberated across the streets of central London.

Their shouts shook the foundation of Nelsons column. Trafalgar square was an apt choice of venue as there are four statues of lions looking out in to the square. The brave Sri Lankan people who gathered together to defend their race felt at home amongst the statues of the heroic lions that represent their race.

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