Peace Vigil to coincide with Norwegian Facilitator’s visit to Jaffna

On 23rd January 2006, the Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy (SLWPD) held its second peace vigil at the Vavuniya Town, to coincide with Norwegian Facilitator Erik Solheim’s visit to Jaffna. However, due to security reasons which came up as a result of a major attack at Adampan on Saturday 21st January, they were compelled to hold the vigil at Lipton Circus. More than 300 women from different districts, including Kurunegala, Puttalam,Kandy, Polonnaruwa,Anuradhapura gathered at the Viharamaha Devi Park and marched towards Lipton Circus, in a silent appeal to both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to resume negotiations and strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement. The SLWPD then proceeded to the Norwegian Embassy and handed over a petition to Mr. Solheim, urging an end to the escalating violence and a return to peace. The SLWPD then proceeded towards the Norwegian Embassy and handed over a petition to Mr. Solheim, urging an end to the escalating violence and a return to peace.