Opposition mounts massive protest rally against Govt.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014 00:32
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Opposition political parties yesterday together with trade unions and civil society organisations held a massive protest rally in the city to show solidarity against the Government.
Thousands of protesters carrying placards and shouting slogans marched from three different locations in the city – Lipton Circus, Darley Road and Slave Island – and converged at Hyde Park where the rally was held last evening.
Main opposition United National Party (UNP), trade unions affiliated to the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic Party (DP) and political parties in Vipakshaya Virodhaya movement participated in the protest.
The rally has been organised to mobilise people against the Government’s oppression, lawlessness and the need to restore people’s rights in the country.
According to the organiser, the protest organised by the Professional and Civil Society Collective is to stand against State oppression, social degradation and corruption and push for the abolition of the executive presidency.
The protests were also part of the Black January organised by the media associations against State suppression and the right to freedom of expression.
The month of January has been labelled as a ‘Black’ month for media freedom with the killing of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge on 8 January 2009 and setting fire to the Sirasa media institute on 6 January 2008 in addition to the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda on 24 January 2010 and an attack on Uthayan newspaper.
