(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Thousands of Muslims marched in Sri Lanka's capital on Monday to protest an anti-Islam movie and demand that the US government take action against its makers, an official said.
Police positioned barricades to prevent the protestors coming close to the US embassy in what is the third demonstration in less than a week, police spokesman Ajith Rohana told Xinhua news agency.
"There were thousands of protestors clad in white who marched from the Fort area and proceeded along Galle Face to the embassy. They chanted slogans and demanded that the makers of the controversial film be punished," he said.
The embassy was working on reduced staff after they received information of the protest.
The embassy website on Sunday posted a notification requesting US citizens to avoid traveling to the embassy when there is an ongoing demonstration and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of protestors.
It also warned that additional protests may take place in the next week and asked the US citizens to check the US Embassy Colombo website for possible updates and remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
The string of protests began on Sept 19 and has since seen an increase in the number of participants.
After the first protest, the embassy released a media statement insisting that "the United States strongly rejects both its (the film's) contents and messages, and had nothing to do with the video."
On Sept 21 a petition signed by Muslims denouncing the anti-Islam film was handed over to US embassy representatives.
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25 September 2012 - 07:06
News ID: 350764
Thousands of Muslims marched in Sri Lanka's capital on Monday to protest an anti-Islam movie and demand that the US government take action against its makers, an official said.
