Friday, 15 November 2013 05:45
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Angry demonstrators including the Bodu Bala Sena led by its General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara stormed the UNP headquarters of Sirikotha last afternoon to disrupt a human rights festival underway inside the building.
The protestors pelted stones at Sirikotha and attempted to storm the building, leading to an altercation between UNP supporters and monks from the Bodu Bala Sena.
The Samagi Human Rights Festival held on the sidelines of CHOGM was organised to bring focus to the human rights issues in the country, with many families of the disappeared and civil society groups working on human rights and disappearances attending.
On Wednesday, the military turned back several bus-loads of families of the disappeared attempting to travel to Colombo from the north to attend the festival.
The mob storming Sirikotha was Government-sponsored, said UNP MPs and United Bhikku Front members who were gathered at the premises. The human rights festival was finally called off due to the demonstrations and disruptions.
The party said several of its members including National Organiser Daya Gamgage were attacked by the mob.
