India informally protests to Lanka about Pakistani demo on Kashmir?

India has unofficially told the Sri Lankan government that it is concerned about the Pakistan High Commission-organized anti-Indian demonstration on Kashmir held here on July 21, the New Indian Express reports.

About 20 people, including members of the Pakistan-embassy sponsored Kashmir Study Forum, demonstrated before the UN office on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, holding placards asking the UN Secretary General and the UN Human Rights Council to take up with India the “grave violations of human rights” in Kashmir.

In a letter addressed to Sri Lankan media organizations dated July 20, the Pakistan High Commission requested coverage for the demonstration. It said that a memorandum to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will be handed over by the protesters.

According to sources, India told the Lankan authorities that its objection is not to Sri Lankan nationals protesting against India on one issue or the other, but to the Pakistan High Commission’s using Sri Lankan soil to stage protests against India. Such undiplomatic conduct might start an unpleasant trend, New Delhi warned.

The Pakistan High Commission regularly organizes a Kashmir Day seminar in which Pakistanis and Sri Lankans participate but the event is held within the precincts of the High Commission.

-Agencies