Protesters in Colombo gathered for another rally in solidarity with Palestine on Thursday, after Sri Lankan MPs jointly urged the UN to stop the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
Sri Lankans have been taking to the streets to show their support for Palestinians since the beginning of Israel’s deadly bombardment last month.
The support comes also from Sri Lankan par-liamentarians, more than 150 of whom signed on Tuesday an open letter to the UN secretary-general demanding that the intergovernmental body “swiftly act by taking necessary steps to be imposed on Israel to stop its onslaught, oppressions, and aggressions against the people of Palestine.” Dozens of people took part in the protest held in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station on Thursday, carrying banners and placards reading “End! Israeli Apartheid Rule,” “Palestinian Lives Matter,” and “Stop Bombing Gaza,” along with Palestinian flags.
“(We want) to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and express our opposition at the Israeli regime, and also express our anger at the way Israel, with the help of the US, (are) conducting this war,” Srinath Perera from North-South Solidarity Group, which organized the rally, told Arab News. Israel has reportedly killed more than 11,500 Palestinian civilians living in the besieged enclave. At least 4,600 children are believed to be among the dead, as Israeli forces continued their attacks and hit hospitals, ambulances, schools, and refugee camps.—APP
