Tamils rally in Sydney over rebel deaths

Thousands of demonstrators have forced the closure of a major Sydney street as they
rally for peace in Sri Lanka.
Members of Australia's Tamil Diaspora met at Sydney's Hyde Park at 4pm (AEST) on
Wednesday urging the federal government to use its diplomatic powers to push for a
ceasefire in fighting between Sri Lankan forces and Tamil rebels.
The rally comes as the Tamil Tigers face a final assault by government forces, who
have killed at least 525 rebels in the past five days in the northeast of the island
nation.
"Over 3,500 Tamil civilians have been killed in a space of three months by the Sri
Lankan state offensive," Tamil Diaspora spokeswoman Sam Pari said.
"We are here today using our democratic right to demonstrate, urging the Australian
government to use their diplomatic powers for Sri Lanka to enter into a ceasefire.
"I know (Foreign Affairs Minister) Stephen Smith has asked for one, but it has not
been agreed to and there is more that can be done."
Dr Pari estimated there were some 5,000 "emotional" people involved in the Sydney
rally, and that the direction of the demonstration would be driven by its
participants.
Police closed Elizabeth Street between Park Road and Market Street as demonstrators
spilled onto the road.