Sunday Times 2
Palestinians mark Nakba day
View(s):The Embassy of Palestine and the Arab Ambassadors Council of Sri Lanka marked Nakba Day with video presentations and speeches by political party representatives on Thursday at the Sports Ministry auditorium in Colombo.
Representing the SLFP, Minister Sarath Amunugama said his party has been a supporter of the Palestinian cause in keeping with non-aligned principles. He said his party was committed to upholding human rights and democracy and would like to see the human rights of the Palestinian people were protected and their right to statehood respected.
Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva said he was touched by the videos that were shown at the event and expressed the government’s support for the Palestinian people’s quest for statehood. Minister Rauff Hakeem delved into injustices meted out to the people of Palestine and slammed imperial forces that prevent the Palestinian people from realizing their freedom.
Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, Joint Opposition leader Dinesh Gunawardene, LSSP leader Tissa Vitharana also addressed the gathering. Nakba day is marked in May to commemorate the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians from their villages 68 years ago, days before the creation of Israel.
