The forum expresses disappointment over Canadian Government stance on Sri Lanka 

We observed Prime Minister Stephen Harper's stint at possibly changing the venue for November, 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.  We also observed Foreign Minister John Baird's immature biased statements highlighting a misguided Canadian foreign policy.  It is further appalling to understand the real driving force behind this current trend that wishes to cause unnecessary harm to a tiny nation that is slowly recovering from a post colonial conflict which lasted over 30 odd years.

True reconciliation starts with all actors and characters actively participating and engaging with the required source.  By turning a blind eye to reconciliation and playing into hands of separatist partisan politics in order to secure votes the Canadian Government will be missing a great opportunity to emerge as a true world leader.  With a large contingent of Sri Lankans living here the Canadian Government  should not use double standards in the House of Commons in the case of Sri Lanka.  It is vital that the Conservative caucus research all available ground realities before jumping into one sided conclusions.

Canada and Sri Lanka has always enjoyed a good relationship and it is unfortunate that CHOGM has created a rift partly due to furious unchecked statements issued by Stephen Harper and John Baird. To us such mechanism is seen as an anti Sri Lankan drive against ordinary Sri Lankan citizens in Canada and around the world who are enjoying the peace and a way forward.  What we truly request from the Canadian Government is to rethink its current stance, and fairly observe all developments in Sri Lanka by relaying information to the public which it receives from visiting delegations, as well as the Canadian high commission in Colombo without any censorship.  

We are truly disappointed that our member of the Commonwealth, who was once the champion of world peace is now constantly poking its head to punish a tiny democratic nation due to an over exaggerated human rights record intertwined to its internal democratic process, in contrary the Harper Government to this date is yet to address any of its own human rights issues and remains very quick to block critics. However, time is now for Conservative Government to act and engage with Sri Lanka allowing it to achieve a desirable reconciliation for lasting peace. Any negative buildup on the Canadian Government part to isolate or push for a boycott of CHOGM venue will only lead to a derailed foreign policy allowing separatist fundamentalists to take the Harper Government for a ride, while damaging local Conservative support, economic interests and influence in South Asia. 

CANADIAN SOUTH ASIAN FOR PEACE UNITY FORUM

(CANADIAN SOUTH ASIAN FOR PEACE UNITY FORUM PRESS RELEASE

30 April 2013)