Ven. Elle Gunawansa and Wimal Weerawansa leading protest with effigy of Peter Harrold (Photo Elmo Fernando)

Clarifying that the protest they organised was an attempt to drive out the Tamil Tiger supporters within the World Bank the JVP MP labelled the World Bank Country Director as a "White Tiger".

The MP was addressing a large gathering of Buddhist monks and protesters who marched from the Liberty roundabout to the World Bank office in Colombo.

The demonstration followed a row about a statement made by the World Bank Country Director in Sri Lanka Peter Harold. In an interview published in the Sunday Times newspaper, it was reported that he called the Tamil Tiger held territory "A kind of an unofficial state".

Since the article was published, the World Bank office in Colombo had denied the statement and accused the paper of misquoting Peter Harold.

The protest organised by the JVP and National Patriotic Movement, marched to the World Bank office in Colombo demanding the removal of the Country Director.

"Peter Harold had legitimised the separatist Tamil Tigers by making this statement. Now we are here to ask him to leave this country without causing any more harm." said Weerawnsa MP of the ruling UPFA alliance.

In an attempt to separate the blame for the statement from the World Bank, The MP said, "Our protest is not against the World Bank as an institution. We never think, the statement made by Peter Harold expresses the policy of the World Bank. The World Bank has to explain to clarify that the statement merely expresses the mindset of "The White Tiger" Peter Harold and not the Bank itself."

"The World Bank must make it clear that the statement made by Peter Harrold is not the official policy of the World Bank. It should distance itself from the statement." Wimal Weerawansa further clarified his position.

Ven. Elle Gunawansa thero of Patriotic National Movement also addressed the gathering.

"Many international organisations are trying hard for a long time to legitimise the Tamil Tigers. So, we are here to convey the protest of all people who respect the unitary state, Independence of this country." Said, Ven Gunawansa.

The protest ended after an effigy of Peter Harold being burned in front of the World Bank Colombo office.