US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1503

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001503 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
RSO FOR DS/IP/ITA AND DS/IP/SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, CE, MIssion Security, Political Parties 
SUBJECT: HOLLYWOOD BUDDHA PROTEST AT EMBASSY COLOMBO 
 
1. (SBU) Summary - On Saturday, September 11, at 
approximately 1235 hours local time, a group of approximately 
70 Sri Lankan nationals, five of whom were Buddhist monks, 
staged a peaceful demonstration outside the North Gate of 
U.S. Embassy Colombo to protest the release of the American 
film "Hollywood Buddha."  The group requested to present a 
letter to the U.S. Embassy but refused to enter the Embassy 
Inspection Room at North Gate, therefore the letter was not 
delivered.  The group disbanded at approximately 1323 hours 
without incident.  Police support was excellent.  A similar, 
larger demonstration is expected Monday, September 13.  End 
Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Details - On Friday afternoon, September 10, at 
approximately 1600 hours, RSO Colombo received information 
from the Sri Lankan Directorate of Internal Intelligence 
(DII) that a demonstration would be staged on Saturday in 
front of the U.S. Embassy by the National Patriotic Movement, 
an umbrella organization of the right-wing Senhalese JVP 
party.  The purpose of the demonstration was to protest the 
release of a U.S. film entitled "Hollywood Buddha."  RSO 
coordinated notification of Embassy community, Embassy 
security elements, and local police.  POL contacted JVP 
Saturday morning to verify the information and was advised 
that no demonstration was planned.  RSO/FSNI was later 
advised by DII that the JVP, now in alliance with President 
Kumaratunga's party, was attempting to distance itself from a 
protest against U.S. interests and therefore denied any 
affiliation with the demonstration.  It is unclear at this 
point if JVP was in fact connected to the demonstration.  On 
Saturday morning, September 11, MSG's were reacted prior to 
the scheduled demonstration and monitored events from react 
positions inside the Chancery.  At approximately 1235 hours, 
a group of about 70 Sri Lankans, five of whom were Buddhist 
monks dressed in traditional orange sarongs, began to 
assemble outside the Embassy's North Gate carrying signs 
written in Senhalese that protested the release of an 
American film, "Hollywood Buddha," claiming the film was an 
insult to Buddha.  Some signs indicated an affiliation with 
the National Buddhist Heritage (NFI).  A significant media 
presence was at the scene as well.  At approximately 1300 
hours, the LGF supervisor advised RSO that the demonstrators 
had requested to deliver a letter to the Embassy.  RSO, being 
the only American officer present at the Embassy, responded 
to the Inspection Room at North Gate to receive the letter. 
Three members of the protest group were invited inside the 
Inspection Room to deliver the letter, but they refused, 
insisting the RSO walk outside the gate and into the crowd to 
receive the letter.  The RSO declined and returned to the 
Chancery without receiving the letter.  At approximately 1323 
hours, the demonstrators disbanded peacefully without 
incident.  Police support and DII intelligence support was 
excellent throughout the event. 
 
3. (SBU) After the demonstration ended, DII notified RSO that 
a larger demonstration of similar theme was scheduled for 
Monday, September 13 at 1200.  RSO will implement appropriate 
security arrangements to include restriction of all traffic 
entering and exiting the Embassy during the prescribed 
period. 
ENTWISTLE