Tamils march to highlight plight

More than 300 Tamils gathered in central Auckland on Saturday, seeking to draw media and the world’s attention to the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Waving banners and placards men, women and children gathered in Aotea Square and marched to Britomart station and back in a peaceful demonstration, which was one of several protests being held by Tamil groups throughout the world since early this year.

This was the third such protest in Auckland City, one of the organizers, Dhayaharan said. The organising group behind the demo was the Tamil Youth Organisation.

Dhayaharan said Tamils living in Sri Lanka were suffering at the hands of “atrocities” being committed by the government and its troops.

“As a New Zealand citizen I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. I am hurt and shocked to hear and read about the sufferings in the warzone,” Dhayaharan said.

He said the march sought to raise awareness of their demands, which were:

* The occupying Sri Lankan military forces should be withdrawn from the Tamils areas;

* Immediate humanitarian aid should reach the people in Vanni area;

* Recognise the Tamils' right for self-determination and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as the sole representatives of the Tamils.

He claimed that the media had also been banned from the Vanni area by the government.

Sri Lanka comprises 20 million people, out of which 18 per cent is Tamils, who are seeking self-rule from the majority Sinhalese.

 Dhayaharan said the protests would continue until some action takes place in Sri Lanka.

* See photo gallery for more pictures of the march