More than 50 people from Indian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and politicians converged at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today to vent out their frustration over the visit of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa to Malaysia.

Rajapaksa visited Kuala Lumpur to attend the International Conference of Asia Pacific Parliament Members Union (ICAPPMU) in PWTC, which is being held from Thursdays until Sunday.

The group, saying they were insulted by Rajapaksa’s visit, marched towards PWTC from the MIC headquarters nearby at 8.30am.
They were also heard chanting ‘Rajapaksa get lost’ and stomping on the former president’s poster.

Sungkai DAP state assemblyman A. Sevanesan said it was very insensitive to allow someone who has allegedly conducted “ethnic cleansing” of the Tamils in Sri Lanka into Malaysia where there are many Tamil people.
“The government and police should chase him away, bring him back to his own country because this is very sensitive issue that touches the Indian community in the country.

“I don’t know how the government can allow this ‘world-class criminal’ to enter this country,” he added.

There is a large Tamil community in Sri Lanka and many Indian Tamils accuse Rajapaksa of atrocities against the community during the 2009 conflict in the island nation.

Heavy police presence saw at the PWTC including Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) as the group was also trying to barge into the building. This protest has also caused traffic congestion.