Sept 29, Colombo: A prominent Sri Lankan Christian clergyman expressed solidarity with the Buddhist monks in Myanmar protesting against the military government.

In an open letter to the Ambassador for Myanmar in Sri Lanka, Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, the Anglican Bishop in Colombo said, “As a fellow religious leader, I wish to express my solidarity with the commendable leadership provided by the Buddhist monks of Myanmar to this mass agitation.”

The Bishop also said he felt it was his duty to add voice against the heavy handed manner the protesters are dealt with by the authorities.

Nine people were killed on Thursday as government forces fired tear gas and bullets to clear large crowds of protesters off Rangoon's streets although western governments say the toll could be higher.

However Sri Lanka is yet to make a statement on Myanmar’s protests despite the flaying by the Minister for National Heritage, Anura Bandaranaike for government’s silence on the Myanmar issue.

The mass protests that are taking place in many cities, towns and villages now being led by Buddhist monks are due to the appalling treatment meted out by Myanmar’s military government.