Sri Lankans Protest Against J&K Attack Outside Pak High Commission
In a show of solidarity with the victims of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, an estimated 200-300 Sri Lankans gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday. The protesters, carrying banners that read “stop state sponsored terrorism” and “we don’t need Pakistan”, voiced their strong condemnation of the attack that left at least 26 persons, including a Nepali national, dead.
The terror attack, which took place on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves across the globe, with many countries condemning the incident in the strongest possible terms. The Sri Lankan government has also condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous” act of terrorism.
The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission was organized by the Sri Lankan Buddhist Association, which has been vocal in its criticism of Pakistan’s alleged support to terrorist organizations. The protesters, who were largely from the Buddhist community, demanded that Pakistan take immediate action to curb the activities of terrorist groups and prevent such attacks in the future.
“We are not just protesting as Sri Lankans, but as human beings who condemn terrorism in all its forms,” said a protester who wished to remain anonymous. “Pakistan’s support to terrorist organizations is well-known, and we demand that they take concrete steps to stop state-sponsored terrorism.”
The protesters also criticized the Pakistani government for its alleged role in promoting radical Islam and supporting terrorist groups. “Pakistan’s ideology of radical Islam is a threat not just to India, but to the entire world,” said another protester. “We want to send a strong message to Pakistan that we will not tolerate such acts of terrorism.”
The protest was peaceful, with no reports of any violence or incidents of vandalism. The protesters also offered flowers and candles to the Pakistani High Commissioner, urging him to convey their message to the Pakistani government.
The Sri Lankan government has been facing criticism for its handling of the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, which were carried out by a local Islamist group with suspected links to international terrorist organizations. The government has been accused of failing to prevent the attacks, despite receiving intelligence warnings.
The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission is seen as a significant development, as it reflects the growing opposition to terrorism in Sri Lanka. The country has a long history of dealing with terrorism, having faced a devastating civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that lasted for over three decades.
The Jammu and Kashmir terror attack has also raised concerns about the spread of terrorism in the region. The attack is seen as a major setback for the Indian government’s efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the region, which has been plagued by terrorism and insurgency for decades.
In the wake of the attack, the Indian government has launched a massive crackdown on terrorist organizations operating in the region. The government has also deployed additional troops to the region to maintain law and order and prevent further attacks.
The Sri Lankan government has also offered its support to the Indian government in its efforts to tackle terrorism. The two countries have been working closely together to share intelligence and coordinate their efforts to prevent and disrupt terrorist activities.
In conclusion, the protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo is a significant development that reflects the growing opposition to terrorism in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government has condemned the Jammu and Kashmir terror attack and has offered its support to the Indian government in its efforts to tackle terrorism. The protest has also sent a strong message to Pakistan that the country will not tolerate state-sponsored terrorism and will continue to stand in solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.
