Demonstration in front of Norwegian Consulate, New York
At least fifty Helayan living in New York region took time off from there busy schedule, along with Buddhist priests from the three Viharas in the region, to demonstrate peacefully in front of the Norwegian consulate in New York on March 31 2005, demanding to end their involvement in the peace process in Sri Lanka. They carried placards and banners with slogans such as –
“ Norwegians work hand in glove with Tamil Tiger Terrorists”
“Norwegians,
the brokers to break-up Sri Lanka”
“Vikings love Tamil Tigers
Terrorists”
“Norway, what do you do about CFA violations”
“Norway blind to the killing of anti-Tamil Tiger civilians”
“Norway
giving first aid to Tamil Tigers” “Norway-Hands off Sri Lanka”
“Norway, what happened to your other peace treaties”
“Norway, your Sri Lanka peace team pocketing Norwegian People's money”
“Solheim and peace traders exploiting Norwegian funds”
“Norway gives millions to Tamil Tiger fronts in Oslo”
“Norway trains Tamil Tigers in Oslo”
“Norway gifts equipment to Tamil Tigers”
“Norway helps to kill anti- LTTE Tamils in Sri Lanka”
“Norway supports Tamil Tiger suicide bombers”
“ Norway responsible for killing Sri Lanka civilians”
“Norway, get out of Sri Lanka”
“Norway, get out of Asia”
“Norway, we do not need foreign intervention”
“Norway blind to Tamil Tiger child soldiers”
“Norway, blind to Tamil Tiger Human Rights violations”
“Norway gives millions of kroners to terrorists”
“ Norway - we want peace. you want “a piece”
“Norway Jose!!!”
Added to that over five hundred leaflets were distributed to passers-by.
Finishing the demonstration a petition signed by participants, addressed to Norwegian Consulate General Liv M. Sinborud, Norwegian Prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen was handed over to the Consulate General’s office and it was received by First Under Consulate Maranne Kvan. Organizers informed her this is a part of a word wide campaign launched by World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) and there will be many in the future in other leading cities around the world until Norway’s participation in the peace process is terminated. Demonstration was jointly organized by New York Society of United Sri Lankans, United Sri Lanka Society of New York and helahanda.com