Washington, May 12: Accusing Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse of abdicating his responsibility to save civilians in restive north, Tamil Americans here have asked US President Barack Obama to send his forces to the strife-torn nation to save the lives of innocent people.
"This is pure and simple genocide. We are asking Obama administration to intervene to save the Tamils of Sri Lanka by sending its army there. The Rajapaksa Government has abdicated its responsibility to protect its Tamil citizens," alleged Elias Jeyarajah, leader of the protesting Tamil Americans.
A large number of Tamil Americans, carrying banner and posters -- also a life size poster of the LTTE leader V Prabharakaran, held a day-long demonstration and shouted slogans in front of the White House.
"We are asking unilateral action by the 'Coalition of the Willing' led by the US to intervene in Sri Lanka to stop the genocide that is going on right now," he said.
Stating that thousands of innocent Tamil civilians were being killed by the Sri Lankan government, Jeyarajah said that this is the time and place to enforce 'Responsibility to Protect' provision of the United Nations.
"We urge all other countries including Britain and France to join this Coalition of the Willing," he said, adding civilised nations have the responsibility to protect when genocide happens.
The protestors also alleged that India was not coming forward to protect the Sri Lankan Tamils.
"This is the reason why the Tamils world over are urging other major countries of the world to save and protect the innocent Tamils by sending their troops to Sri Lanka,"
Jeyarajah said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 00:00