Rowdy mayhem at the meeting addressed by the British Foreign Minister

(September 16, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The British Minister Lord Malloch-Brown who is responsible for South Asian affairs experienced ugly scenes of rowdy behaviour by the LTTE men at a meeting held at Zoroastrian Centre, 440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 9T facilitated by Hon Garath Thomas MP on 15 September 2008.

The LTTE men were not in a mood to listen to his balanced speech reflecting the position of the British government on Sri Lanka. The Minister was critical of both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. He said the British government is putting international pressure on Sri Lanka to adhere to human rights standards and to find a solution to the conflict by amicable means. He stressed both Sri Lankan government and the LTTE are responsible for the break up of the ceasefire agreement and that the British government is keen to see resumption of talks to resolve the conflict.

During question time, LTTE men raised barrage of questions focussed on espousing the cause of the LTTE. The British Minister responded to all the questions, some of which were unpalatable to the LTTE men. They jeered and hackled the Minister. But the Foreign Minister was very assertive on British government stand on Sri Lanka.

The LTTE men asked the Minister about the possibility of de-proscribing the LTTE as a terrorist group in the UK. He responded by saying that there are provisions in the Terrorism Act for the LTTE to appeal on the decision, which they have not done since its proscription in 2001.

The LTTE gangsters were specially brought into the hall to intimidate those who are critical of the LTTE. Leader of the Tamil Democratic Congress R Jayadevan was surrounded by twenty odd violent gangsters to ensure he does not raise any questions in the meeting. Minister Garath Thomas had to intervene when one LTTE gangster forcefully grabbed the seat of R Jayadevan prior to commencement of the meeting.

At the conclusion of Lord Malloch Brown’s speech, one LTTE gangster stood in front of the Minister and shouted: ‘Tigers thirst is a separate state’ and ‘Pirabakaran is our leader’. Section of the pro LTTE crowd repeated the slogans in high voice which increased the tensions in the hall.

When Lord Malloch Brown left the hall R Jayadevan and his friends too followed him. When Jayadevan attempted to engage in talk with the Minister outside the hall, the LTTE men attempted to push him out and he was assaulted in front of the two British Ministers by one of the LTTE goons. The situation was leading to mayhem and the Foreign Minister was lead out of the building safely.

The meeting proceeded following the departure of the British Foreign Minister. Hon Robert Evens MEP spoke in length about his visit to Sri Lanka. Whilst his speech was on, a note was delivered to Hon Garath Thomas MP by his Secretary. He uttered something to Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP seated next to him. At the end of Mr Evans speech, Mr Garath Thomas announced that the meeting has come to a close. The LTTE goons hackled that they wanted to hear the speech of Mr Keith Vaz. But the Minister Garath Thomas was not in a mood to subscribe to the pressure, and all were asked leave the building immediately.

(Full text of the proceedings of Lord Malloch Brown will be published soon)- Sri Lanka Guardian