Fed: Hundreds of Tamils to arrive in Canberra at midday

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2009
Fed: Hundreds of Tamils to arrive in Canberra at midday

Foreign Affairs Minister STEPHEN SMITH says he's seen claims that almost 300 Tamil
civilians were killed by artillery shelling by the Sri Lankan government on Easter Sunday
.. but can't confirm the reports.

Mr SMITH says the situation in Sri Lanka's terrible and he .. along with the international
community .. is becoming increasingly concerned.

It comes with hundreds of Tamil demonstrators .. who rallied for two days outside KEVIN
RUDD's Sydney home .. set to take their protest to the Prime Minister's Canberra residence.

The group wants the Australian government to use diplomatic channels to push for a
permanent ceasefire in the conflict between Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil
rebels.

AAP RTV ah/af

KEYWORD: SRILANKA AUST (PERTH)

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