A GROUP of Singaporeans, including visual artist Seelan Palay, are holding a candlelight vigil on Saturday evening in support of peace in war-torn Sri Lanka.

The two-hour event will be staged at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park, where rules on public speaking and protests were relaxed on Sept 1.

Although the event was described as a demonstration when the group registered it with the National Parks Board (NParks), there will not be any speeches or protests, said Mr Palay, 24.

Instead, they will distribute fliers containing information about the sectarian strife in Sri Lanka which began in 1983 and has since claimed more than 70,000 lives and displaced over one million others.

Mr Palay said the group will also put up a notice board for the public to pen 'peace' messages for Sri Lankans caught up in the conflict.

'We hope to express concern and raise awareness about the situation in Sri Lanka as Singaporeans and members of the global community,' he added.

Clashes between government forces and rebels seeking an independent homeland escalated after the government called off a ceasefire in January, accusing the rebels of using the lull to re-arm themselves.

A spokesman for NParks confirmed on Wednesday that it received an application to 'hold a vigil for peace in Sri Lanka'.

Since Sept 1, applicants need to only register online at the NParks' website any time before speaking or staging a demonstration. They have to state the intended topic as issues dealing with race and religion remain out of bounds.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.