COLOMBO, Dec 29: A Sinhalese organisation has protested against the participation of Prince Charles in Sri Lanka's 50th anniversary celebrations next year, the daily Island reported on Monday.A spokesman of the National Joint Committee (NJC) quoted by newspaper said that ``it would greatly help to preserve relations between these two countries if Charles opted out .
The Prince of Wales is the chief guest at the February 4 celebrations . He confirmed his participation in the event last week. However, the NJC said Charles participation in the celebrations would hurt the sentiments of the Lankans because the British had annihilated nearly 30,00 Sinhalese agriculturists and ``brutally'' repressed two independence struggles in 1818 and 1848.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
