CNN iReport

Multi-Ethnic demonstration against the brutal terrorist activities of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka was held at Stora Torget, Uppsala on Saturday 03^rd May 2008.  This demonstration was taken place near the Uppsala University. The demonstration was a public protest by the Sri Lankans living in Sweden to express their growing discontent with the LTTE extortion, which claims to be for improving the living standards of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

The objective of this protest campaigning is to raise the awareness of the international community on the brutal terrorist activities of LTTE in Sri Lanka and also to make an appeal to the donors to be cautious about the charities established as front organizations by this rebel group to raise funds to finance its terrorist activities. They also demanded the ban on the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in Sweden which is funding the LTTE.

The protest was sparked by demonstration of large number of photographs as evidence of atrocities of the LTTE activities in Sri Lanka. The LTTE terrorist activities have been drastically increased during the recent past, not only in the war-ravaged areas but also in other parts of the country. The atrocities have been extended to include non-military targets such as public transport, farmers, villagers, temples and mosques causing deaths for large numbers of innocent civilians irrespective of their caste, creed or race as Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim.  The photographs were self-explanatory of the LTTE terrorist activities such as killing the innocent civilians, recruitment of child soldiers, and assassination of political leaders, non-military officials and also extensive use of suicide bombers.

The large number of Swedish and non Swedish people who gathered to witness this event was shocked by seeing the photographs of ruthless killings of innocent civilians by the LTTE and the destruction caused to the public and private property, natural resources and environment of this beautiful island nation. They reiterated their serious concern over the international crimes such as border trading of dangerous drugs, arms and also human smuggling which has direct impact on any other country.  This event had indeed been an eye-opener for the international community and also to the Sri Lankans living abroad, who are aware of the ground realities of LTTE and its terrorist activities in Sri Lanka and across the world.  The participants of the protest campaign received an overwhelming support and encouragement by the Swedish and non-Swedish community who have gathered to make this event a huge success.