Protests over anti-Islam film escalate in Sri Lanka
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E-mail Xinhua, September 24, 2012
Protests over anti-Islam film escalate in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Muslims marched in Sri Lanka's capital on Monday to protest an anti-Islam movie and demand that the U.S. government take action against its makers, an official said here.
Police positioned barricades to prevent the protestors coming close to the U.S. embassy in what is the third demonstration in less than a week, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.
"There were around 8,000 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 remarked.
The embassy was working on reduced staff after they received information of the protest, sources told Xinhua.
The embassy website on Sunday posted a notification requesting U.S. 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 U. S. citizens to check the U.S. Embassy Colombo website for possible updates, closely monitor local media for reports of protests, 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."
However the protests have continued.
On Sept. 21 a petition signed by Muslims denouncing the anti- Islam film was handed over to U.S. embassy representatives. Enditem
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