Indian Tamil film industry protests killings in Sri Lanka

Even as a few leading Tamil actors stayed away from the protest rally, a large number of artistes and directors of the Tamil film industry staged a protest here on Sunday against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Led by director Bharatiraaja and producer Rama Narayanan, they took out a rally from the Agnitheertha Kadarkarai to Kilakadu ground near the bus stand. Members of about 25 associations of the industry took part in the rally that went along the important roads of the island town amid tight security. Agony of Tamils
Wearing black shirts, black badges, the protesters shouted slogans against the Sri Lankan government for waging a war against the Tamils. Many carried placards and banners highlighting the suffering and agony of Tamils in the island nation. A few placards urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to respect “human rights” and international conventions to be followed to protect citizens.
A group burnt the effigy of the Sri Lankan President at Thittakudi junction.
Later, they held a meeting at the Kilakadu ground in which most of the speakers urged the Central government to use its good offices to persuade Sri Lanka to stop the war immediately and put an end to the suffering of Tamils, majority of whom are of Indian origin.
Lyricist Vairamuthu charged that he had information that Mr. Rajapaksa was continuing the war as the aggression against Tamils would fetch votes for his party to come back to power. It had not respected the basic and prime duty of a popular government to protect its own people. The people of Tamil Nadu would not abandon their brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka, he said.
Director S.A. Chandrasekaran justified the choice of Rameswaram for the protest, saying this was the right place to agitate against the Sri Lankan government as it was very close to the island nation. Reports said there were differences in the film fraternity over holding the the place.
While director K.S. Ravi Kumar said the United Nations should intervene in the Sri Lankan affairs to save Tamils, who had become refugees in their own country, director Amir charged that the Central government was also one of the reasons for the current problem in Sri Lanka. He criticised it for secretly supplying radars to the island nation and providing training to its Army personnel.CM praised
A few speakers appreciated the ultimatum given by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to the Central government to stop the war in Sri Lanka.
Among actors, directors and producers who spoke were Vadivelu, Vijaya T. Rajender, Parthiban, Pandiarajan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Livingstone, Cheran, Karunas, Kovai Thambi, Kalaipuli Dhanu, and K.T. Kunjumon.(News-The Hindu)