Sri Lankans protest against J&K attack outside Pak High Commission
In a bold display of solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, an estimated 200-300 Sri Lankans took to the streets outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday to protest against the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The demonstration was a powerful expression of outrage and condemnation against the brutal act of terrorism that claimed the lives of at least 26 people, including a Nepali national.
The protesters, holding banners that read “Stop state-sponsored terrorism” and “We don’t need Pakistan”, gathered outside the Pakistani diplomatic mission in the Sri Lankan capital to express their strong disapproval of the attack. The event was widely covered by local media outlets, which reported that the protesters were from various parts of the country, including Colombo, Gampaha, and Kandy.
The terror attack in Pahalgam, which occurred on August 8, was a despicable act of violence that targeted innocent tourists and locals alike. The perpetrators of this heinous crime have been identified as terrorists affiliated with the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which has received funding and support from Pakistan in the past.
The Sri Lankan government has long been vocal about its concerns over the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, and this protest is a testament to the strong sentiments of the people towards the issue. The protesters, who included students, professionals, and members of civil society, were united in their demand for Pakistan to stop supporting and sponsoring terrorism.
The protest was led by a group of activists and community leaders who have been vocal about their opposition to terrorism and extremism. They were joined by members of various political parties and civil society organizations, who came together to express their solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
One of the protesters, a young student from Colombo, told local media that the attack in Pahalgam was a stark reminder of the dangers of terrorism and the need for collective action to prevent such incidents in the future. “We, as Sri Lankans, have suffered at the hands of terrorism in the past, and we know how devastating it can be. We stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and demand that Pakistan takes concrete steps to stop supporting terrorism,” she said.
Another protester, a businessman from Gampaha, echoed similar sentiments. “Pakistan has a long history of supporting terrorist organizations, and it’s high time that they take responsibility for their actions. We, as Sri Lankans, will not stand idly by while innocent people are being killed in the name of terrorism,” he said.
The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo is a significant development in the context of the growing tensions between Sri Lanka and Pakistan over terrorism. The Sri Lankan government has been urging Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorist organizations operating on its soil, and this protest is a manifestation of the people’s desire to see tangible results.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the Sri Lankan government has reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism and has pledged to work closely with international partners to prevent such incidents in the future. The country has also called on Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorist organizations and to prevent the use of its territory for terrorist activities.
The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo is a powerful reminder of the strong sentiments of the Sri Lankan people towards terrorism and extremism. It is a testament to the country’s commitment to combating terrorism and its determination to work with international partners to prevent such incidents in the future.
