DON’T USE SRI LANKA FOR OWN POLITICAL GAINS

We the members of Friends of Sri Lanka (Canada) condemn the statement made by New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) on Sri Lanka, on August 3rd 2011. We are saddened by the fact that NDP is trying to make use of Sri Lanka, for own political gains rather than helping Sri Lanka to recover from 30 years of terrorism. We also urge NDP not to trap into Tamil Tiger slogans and not to jeopardise not only Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process, but also community harmony in Canada by making false statements. Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation and there are well established laws and judicial system in the country to punish any crime.

We also urged NDP not to distort the facts that UN has suggested a war crime tribunal in Sri Lanka. There is no such decision taken by any division of UN. 

We stress NDP to look into the fact that it is Pro Tamil Tiger Diaspora in Canada who funded the proxy war in Sri Lanka; and therefore to set up a war crimes tribunal within Canada to punish those who funded Tamil Tigers to kill thousands of innocent civilians in Sri Lanka, throughout last 30 years.

We also like to raise the question where was the NDP when Tamil Tigers were blasting bombs in every corner of Sri Lanka killing innocent civilians, Politicians, clergy etc.

We urged Canadian government to push for laws at UN to protect soldiers who risk their own lives to protect civilians while fighting ruthless terrorist outfits throughout the world.

With respect to the Sri Lankan situation, Sri Lankan soldiers while risking their own lives have secured over 300,000 civilians from the human shield of ruthless Tamil Tigers at the end of the conflict and the world should credit them for that; rather than criticising them.

Conveners

Sivam Vinayagamoorthy

Hasaka Ratnamalala

Dr. Asoka Perera