Protest on Lanka cleared by Glasgow

Organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow today admitted they had decided to allow a Tamil group to protest outside the venue against Sri Lanka.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said that there was a Tamil protest outside Celtic Park ahead of the opening ceremony against the inclusion of Sri Lanka in the event.

“We’ve made a very strong commitment to allow peaceful protests. The feedback we received last night from Tamil protesters was they were happy with the opportunity,” the Independent quoted Grevemberg as saying.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier pulled out of the opening ceremony of the Games following security concerns. Meanwhile President Rajapaksa, as the Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, has conveyed his warm greetings to the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation His Royal Highness Prince Tunku Imran for the 20th Commonwealth Games that got under in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday.

“These Games are a unique feature in the Commonwealth calendar, bringing together athletes from across its regions into one arena,” President Rajapaksa said in the message. “Aptly called the ‘Friendly Games,’ they are a symbol of the camaraderie and unity among the diverse Commonwealth family.”

While conveying his best wishes to all the teams participating in the Games, the President also pointed out that athletes who excel at the Commonwealth Games often go on to distinguish themselves on a wider international platform such as the Olympics. In the message to Prince Imran, President Rajapaksa also commented on the significance of sports as a healer.

“The Games also stand out in their significance to the people of the Commonwealth due to the importance of sports as a healer,” the President said. “We, in Sri Lanka, are particularly cognizant of this aspect of the Games, as sports continue to play a crucial role in fostering reconciliation and unity amongst the people, with the country having recently emerged from the shackles of terrorism.”

Source: Colombo Gazette