The LTTE organized demonstration in Rome, through its proxies - JVP, UNP and TNA a flop

The demonstration organised by the JVP, UNP and TNA, with the tacit support of the LTTE, to be held in front of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Italy, to request the release of Sarath Fonseka, turned into a big flop, as the protesters were not permitted to stand in front of the Embassy and cry out their anti-Government slogans to disturb the peaceful environment prevailing in Italian.

It has been customary for the Italian Government to permit such demonstrations, as the n Government respects the right to demonstrate against any institution.

The JVP, which is registered in Italy, obtained the permission to hold the demonstration on , 11th February, and declared that the demonstration will take place in front of the Embassy.

Normally, it is the practice for them to protest in from of the institution when the demonstrators obtain the permission from the Italian Government to hold it in front of an institution, so the protest could be heard and seen by the institution. Therefore, they have sought the permission of the Italian Government to demonstrate in front of the Embassy, and their main objective was the shout about Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

In the meantime, Asian Tribune learnt that Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Italy, made a special appeal to the Italian Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni, to the Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, and to the officials of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that the demonstration is a combination of forces that had the active support of the LTTE, which has been funding these demonstrations in order to create disinformation among the Italian public.

The JVP, which had earlier condemned the international interventions in Sri Lanka , is now seeking to invoke the very principle it condemned, by tacitly pasting posters in Italian, requesting the intervention of countries in the alleged crisis of Sri Lanka, to attract the attention of the public, stating that the Government of Sri Lanka is not heeding to the democratic principles, and has arrested the opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka, and kept him in custody.

It was an irony that JVP which was instrumental for two armed insurrection in the country and said to be close to the third one speaks about democracy and democratic values.

After evaluating the concerns of the Embassy, the local police were directed not to permit the protesters in front of the Embassy, and moved them to a park which was away from the Embassy.

A crowd of 100 people gathered, and were angry at the Ambassador for having deprived them of the right to demonstrate in front of the Embassy.

When contacted, the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Italy said that there were a large number of people throughout Italy who volunteered to come to the Embassy and counter-demonstrate against the JVP, UNP and LTTE sympathisers, which would lead to divisions and a breach of peace among the Sri Lankans living in Italy.

The demonstrators had to eat a humble pie when they were told by the local police that they should proceed to the park commonly used by animal lovers.

- Asian Tribune -