By Franklin R. Satyapalan
All activity in Ampara town came to a stand still on Sunday as public launched a hartal to protest and picket against the SLMC demand for a Muslim majority council with Kalmunai as a base in the Eastern Province, residents in the area said on Monday.

Meanwhile the UNP, JVP and the EPDP too have commenced a series of protests opposing the SLMC demand.

Ampara town was deserted with all shops putting up their shutters with vehicles and people keeping away from the streets on Sunday. Even the Sunday public fair in Ampara did not function.

Thousands converged near the Ampara clock tower in the town, picketed and demonstrated shouting slogans.

When they attempted to go in procession Police intervened to disperse them on Sunday.

UNP MPs P. Dayaratne, Chandradasa Galappathi and Nihal Bakmeewewa also participated and addressed the gathering.

The JVP led by MPs Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Anjana Umma and Western Provincial Councillor Ramalingam Chandrasekeran also held a picketing and public demonstration in Ampara town on Friday.

The EPDP too has commenced a series of protest meetings in Ampara District in this connection.

It is also reported that many government MPs and Cabinet Ministers were also against the proposals of the SLMC for the creation of a separate council and also informed President Chandrika Kumaratunga of their disapproval, well informed governmental sources said yesterday.

The EPRLF too has commenced a series of seminars in Ampara District in this connection.