The Hindu : Attack by Sinhala hardliners mars cultural fete

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003

International

International - India & World

Attack by Sinhala hardliners mars cultural fete

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO Oct. 29. An attack by hardliners from a Sinhala nationalist group marred the inauguration of a Sinhala-Tamil cultural festival here today and left seven persons, including two journalists, injured.

Raising slogans, the cadres from the Sinhala Urumaya, raised slogans and assaulted the participants at the cultural festival, branding it as one being conducted by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and "southern traitors" who were "supporting the Tigers". Both Tamils and Sinhalese were targets in the attack and the injured journalists were from the Sinhala media.

The Sinhala Urumaya, which has opposed talks with the Tigers and pushes for a military solution to the decades-long separatist conflict, has criticised the peace process as one that would "divide the country".

Before the party was formed, Sinhala nationalists had opposed the devolution package prepared by the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga., aimed at devolving greater powers to the regions.

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