News
 		 

No National flag, Anthem as netball organisers obey LTTE writ
An inter-club national netball tournament got under way in the government controlled Vavuniya area after the organisers agreed to LTTE conditions, including refraining from flying the National flag or playing the National Anthem to mark the opening ceremony.

The chief guest was Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's wife, Shiranthi Rajapakse who is the President of the National Netball Federation. The Colombo organisers earlier this week had agreed to a LTTE condition by their sports wing chief, Papa that the National flag should not be flown, but the federation flag and club flags could be flown. He also wanted them not to play the National Anthem.

Among other conditions placed was that no armed guards be allowed into the ground. On Friday night the Colombo organisers had decided to fly the National flag during the opening ceremony, but had been informed by the Vavuniya district LTTE political wing leader, Gnanavail that permission would not be granted to fly the National flag or play the National Anthem, failing which they would withdraw all the teams from the north and east.

The organisers also had placed armed security within the grounds yesterday prompting an LTTE protest. The dispute delayed the opening of the tournament by one and half hours and started off without the hoisting of the National flag or playing of the National Anthem.

Sports and Youth Affairs Deputy Minister, Sripathi Suriarachchi is scheduled to be present at the closing ceremony at 4.00 pm today.
Top  Back to News  

Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved.