Tamil Tiger supporters attack Sri Lanka & India High Commissions in London

By Janaka Alahapperuma from London

Tamil Tiger supporters have attacked and smashed the windows, glass panels and caused damagers to the buildings at India High Commission, Aldwych, London and Sri Lanka High Commission, Hyde Park Corner, London, on Monday 27th April Scotland Yard said.

There were nearly 150 violent demonstrators staged an illegal demonstration in front of Sri Lanka High Commission with out prior permission. The area is highly residential and Westminster Police do not allow more than fifty people to hold a demo out side Sri Lanka High Commission. However rowdy crowd started to pelting stones at the High commission building Police had to forcefully remove them from the area. Later only twenty people were allowed to protest and rest had to stay away close to Basewater road.

Concurrently another noisy unlawful protest staged outside Indian High Commission by nearly two hundred puerile and violent pro Tamil Tiger supporters shouting anti-Indian slogans and demanding Central Government’s intervention for an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. They also demanded the Indian Government to force Sri Lanka to call off the winning offensive against the Tamil Tigers.

Earlier Police had to prevent the protesters blocking busy Central London roads near the Indian High Commission on Monday morning. Later three agitated protestors broke into the India House through the visa department when the door was opened to allow a member of staff in.

Police were subsequently called in, to escort the agitated protestors who had broken into the High Commission, out of the building. Scotland Yard spokeswoman said “extra Police were drafted in after an incident occurred at the Indian High Commission, which has resulted in some damage to the building”.

Witnesses said protesters threw small missiles at the Indian High Commission building smashing as many as eight windows on the ground floor.

Three were arrested at the Indian High Commission for criminal damage, while outside Sri Lankan High Commission there were also three arrests, one for criminal damage, one for violent disorder and one for a public order offence she further said.

It is not known yet whether any formal charges have been filed against the intruders. However British Foreign Minister was briefed by the diplomats from both missions on the incidents and requested for adequate security.

In early April pro Tamil Tiger supporters were accused of attacking and damaging (beheading) the statue of the first Prime Minister of India Sri Jawaharlal Nehru out side Indian High Commission, London.