Totally distorted picture of Sri Lanka that has been propagated in the West.

Speech delivered by Sam Rajendran, President, CDTCA in Toronto on 22 April 2012 on the occasion of Sinhala Tamil New Year Celebration organized by CDTCA: On behalf of the CANADIAN DEMOCRATIC TAMIL CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, I am extremely delighted to welcome you all to our Celebration of Sri Lankan Solidarity on the occasion of the Sinhala Tamil New Year. I am especially proud to welcome the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Mrs. Wagiswara as our chief guest this evening. It is also my great pleasure to welcome the Sri Lankan Consul General in Toronto, Hon Mr. Karunarathna Paranawithana, and all our special guests.

Our association was formed to promote democracy and pluralism in the Tamil community and bring Sri Lankans of all backgrounds together to foster understanding and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sri Lanka. As part of our activities we have been holding this celebration of Sinhala Tamil New Year where all Sri Lankan communities – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers – come together just like it happens in Sri Lanka.

This may come as a surprise to many Canadians including children in the Sri Lankan Diaspora because of the totally distorted picture of Sri Lanka that has been propagated in the West. Today power is created and exercised mainly through media and propaganda – more than by military dominance. Power is wielded by those who control the discourse – the narrative. In this struggle Sri Lanka at the present moment is facing a formidable convergence of forces that would like to dismantle the peace that has been achieved by defeating one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations in history. Because they want to keep the conflict simmering in order to gain leverage over developments in Sri Lanka. Outside powers are acting in their own geostrategic interests, while some forces  are  trying to achieve through foreign intervention what it couldn’t achieve militarily. The ordinary Tamils in the Diaspora seem to go along with it as an image of “victimhood” brings benefits and special treatment. As for the majority of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, there is a sense of relief that the  war has ended, and now they can enjoy the benefits of peace and economic development. But this story is not what is heard in the West. Unfortunately it is the story narrated by those who want to derail the peace that has been achieved in Sri Lanka that is dominating the world media.

So, even though human rights organizations, NGO’s and western powers talk incessantly about reconciliation in Sri Lanka – they are actually working in the opposite direction. They never talk of the positive thing happening in Sri Lanka. They are opening old wounds in order to bring about a unilateral foreign intervention. Will such an interventionist approach from outside really help reconciliation on the ground? We know from the experiences of other countries that such an internationalist model of intervention can only bring disastrous results.

d. We are resolute in our conviction that Sri Lanka – despite the many challenges and trials it had to undergo due to the 30-year war against terrorism exacerbated by foreign machinations - has emerged as a model for the future of many countries stricken by terrorism due to similar ethno, religious, and sub-national conflicts. Contrary to the much publicized “story-telling”, compared to other wars, Sri Lanka, while defeating terrorism, has shown restraint magnanimity and humanity in the way it conducted the war even under provocation and pressure and in its efforts towards post-war rehabilitation and reconciliation.

We know in our hearts, as most reasonable people do - that in spite of all the media hype and spin doctors – this is the truth. Of course there are shortcomings and we don’t deny them, but Sri Lanka’s efforts are sincere and enlightened. What Sri Lanka needs at this crucial hour is help, not further victimization, in order to heal and bring relief to the long-suffering people. We have to help our brothers and sisters back home – both in the north and south – in their efforts to rebuild their lives after much suffering over the past 40 years.

Critics accuse Sri Lanka of majoritianism. It is unfortunate and ironical that the same critics in the west bow to the pressure of vote banks. Human rights and equality should go hand in hand; you cannot be partisan in advocating human rights.

I would like to most humbly appeal to Canadian and other western governments to please ensure the human rights of your own citizens in your own soil before trying to protect human rights around the world. Isn’t it the height of irony we Sri Lankans in Canada, especially Tamil Canadians, are able to exercise our rights under the Charter more fully only after the present Sri Lankan government defeated the LTTE? Only now we are able to express our views in public without fear of repercussions. But unfortunately there are ominous signs our new found freedom may be short-lived as enemies of Sri Lanka’s progress are regrouping again.

Today in a world of hyper-reality created by media hype and spin, we are the testament to the reality of everyday life in Sri Lanka – its diversity and tolerance.

The world has much to learn from Sri Lanka about tolerance and understanding and respect for human rights that has shaped the multi-cultural society on the island, a tradition dating back to a time when there was no such thing as an “international community.”

Let us celebrate our rich heritage in solidarity.

Once again I welcome you all, and I hope you enjoy our program.

Thank You