State Terrorism is alive in Sri Lanka - Response to the SL's Ambassador in Washington.

Friends,
This is utter rubbish and absolute lies being spread by the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington DC.

It is more than obvious that the SLHC making a desperate attempt to hoodwink the US Secretary of State,
The State Dept.. and the US Congress about the state of affairs in Sri Lanka.
They have simply forgotten the fundamental rule in foreign affairs of the US Government, which relies on their
 own embassy in Sri Lanka to formulate their opinion instead of foreign embassies in Washington, or their paid lobbyist.
In this instance the firm of Patton Boggs, are paid nearly a million dollars a year, and one Sinhalese attorney Vinod Basanayake also has been hired by this firm for this purpose. This young man is the son of immigration
attorney Sena Basanayake who was a neighbor and close friend of attorney Bruce Fein, who was the paid attorney
first for the Tamils For Justice, then for Justice For Thamils, Canada, and thereafter for Tamils Against Genocide.
Now he is with the Turkish lobby groups, lobbying hard to deny their has been a Genocide in Armenia. His wife
is the Congressional candidate for the Republican Party, contesting Jane Harman in the beach cities,
and Los Angeles airport area.
The LTTE might be defeated in Sri Lanka, but the Tamils are not in Sri Lanka nor the diaspora. The Tamil's goals,
objectives and aspirations have not died with the LTTE, although the demand for separate state is not practical
withthout  the LTTE. However, there is no way the Tamil political parties would settle for anything less than a
strong Federal system with extensive devolution of power, sans any discrimination. The State Terrorism is live
and kicking, and one has to just ask the General Fonseka's family, UNP, JVP, and the TNA. Or the former
President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge and her family. Even Sri Lanka's former Foreign minister
Managala Samaraweera or minister Karu Jayasuriya would vouch for the current tyranny that all Tamils, and
many Sinhalese and Muslims are facing. Tiran Alles who organized his friend Emilkanthan to accept the
Rajapakse money so that the LTTE would agree to boycott the 2005 Presidential elections himself has experienced
the Sinhala Rajapakse State Terrorism.
The Tamil diaspora has been pro Tamil than pro LTTE, and certainly the LTTE was very much loved, respected
and supported by them as well as those Tamils living in Sri Lanka. The GOSL could burn every bone of the LTTE
fighters and shamelessly desecrate the cemeteries, and destroy the monuments and statues for the dead Tamil
leaders, but won't be able to erase their memory in the hearts, and minds of the Tamils of their leaders.

It is stupid and childish for the Srilankan embassy in Washington, DC, and their lobbyist Patton Boggs to brand
the Tamils who oppose the Rajapakse dictatorship as Pro LTTE supporters. What they are doing is really
insulting the intelligence of the State Department, members of the Congress, and the US government as if they
are not aware of the true picture using their own sources such as the US embassy in Colombo, NGO's,
Human Rights Organizations, such as the HRW, Amnesty International, International Crisis Group, and the
Elders Group to mention a few.
If the SL embassy is so confident of their virtue and that war crimes was never committed in Sri Lanka we all
(Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and Burgers) would challenge them to request a Congressional and Senate hearing
on Sri Lanka next year. GOSL should also allow the UN to conduct it's own investigations not only on the
War Crimes but the continued State Terrorism after the war, including the cruel and inhuman treatment of the
300,000 Tamil civilians in internment camps and abuse of the prisoners of war, violating the Geneva Conventions.

The Tamil civilians are being terrorized by the State on a daily basis, their homes being occupied by the military
for decades, and their land is being robbed after the 18 month occupation in the Vanni. The aid received to
build homes for the IDP's are also being diverted for the military, colonization schemes, and promoting ethnic cleansing.

So far Sri Lankan government has not built one single permanent home for the Tamil civilians after destroying
about 100,000 homes in less than a year in the Northern Province. If that is not State Terrorism, may I ask what is?

There are competent US attorneys like Prof. Francis Boyle, Bruce Fein, Karen Parker, and Prof. Cole to provide
testimony to the Congress and the Senate. I wonder whether attorneys from Patton Boggs would dare come and
represent their clients and justify the million dollars that is being paid to them. Wasn't this the same lobby group
who represented General Fonseka who was wanted for "Friendly discussion" last October by the department of
Homeland security when he was visiting USA to renew his green card? Even attorneys representing
General Fonseka and his supporters can be represented for any type of hearing, so that the truth can be told to
the US government, US Public, and the United Nations.

Why not even release General Fonseka to come and testify and also talk to the US government and the United Nations,
if the GOSL and the MOD are not afraid of the truth? After all both General Fonseka and his wife are permanent residents
and were hoping to become US citizens at some time in the future together with the rest of the family.

The Tamil campaign is not a campaign of misleading facts but the truth.

On the contrary it is the SL Embassy which is engaged in a litany of lies not only against the Tamils but also the
Sinhalese and the Muslims which represented 40% of the total votes General Fonseka received in the January
Presidential elections despite severe irregularities and violations of the election laws. Let us have an open debate
now, with 3 from the Tamils, 3 from the GOSL, 1 from the US Muslims, and one from the General Fonseka's side.

The SL Embassy are such shameless cowards and spineless men, they will simply run and hide without facing a
debate and confront the truth.
The GOSL and SL Embassy are such hypocrites, who are clearly demonstrating that they are only paying lip
service to peace and true reconciliation with the Tamils, but behind their back operating a false and malicious
campaign against the Tamils to vilify. How can such people be trusted in anything they say?
With Best Wishes,

Donald Jayantha Gnanakone

Tamils For Justice.
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1795699868638606708

On State Terrorism:


Sri Lanka from a flawed democracy into a dynastic oligarchy because their crimes and abuses have gone largely unchallenged by Lankan society, especially that intellectual-ethical obscenity, the zero-civilian casualty myth (and the incarceration of more than 300,000 Tamils in ‘welfare villages’).

So Sri Lanka is a land polarised between the friends and the enemies of the Ruling Family. In this land, anyone who is willing to play by Rajapaksa rules and submit to Rajapaksa dictates can lead a ‘normal’ life, without experiencing state terror. The North has been bludgeoned into sullen silence; Tamils will be stigmatised and repressed as Tiger supporters if they show signs of democratic dissent. - Courtesy - Tissaranee Gunasekara via Sunday Leader.

Sent: Friday, September 3, 2010 17:51:48

Subject: To: Members of the Sri Lankan Community in the United States
Members of the Sri Lankan Community in the United States,

I know most of you have been working in many different ways to spread the correct story about Sri Lanka.

As you may be aware, 58 members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They have called for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes during the final stages of the long struggle against the terrorist army Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Although terrorism has been eliminated in Sri Lanka, the pro-LTTE Diaspora is still active. Their aggressive fund raising now targets the progress being made in Sri Lanka. Funds are also used to spread negative stories about our Motherland.

The pro-LTTE Diaspora has launched a campaign of misinformation and has tried to confuse the Congress and other lawmakers.

To counter this false message, we need to work together as a community. That is why I am writing to you today.

I ask that you take action to right the wrong impressions being spread in Washington about Sri Lanka. You can do this by writing to Congress and to Secretary Clinton.
There are so many positive developments occurring right now in Sri Lanka that this task will not be a difficult one. Below I’ve offered some suggestions in a sample letter that you may copy and send to the members of Congress who wrote the letter to Secretary Clinton, and to your own representative and senators.
We must all take ownership of Sri Lanka and its reputation. I know that many of you work hard to promote cultural and religious events that symbolize the peace, understanding and tolerance that is Sri Lanka today. I know that you will help us convey that same message to your elected leaders here in Washington, D.C.

I thank you for your help in this important effort.



Sincerely,

Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Ambassador

Sample letter:

For Representative:
The Honorable John Q. Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Representative Smith:

For Senator:

The Honorable John Q. Smith
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Smith:

Sample letter:

The Honorable (First name) (Last name)
United States House of Representatives (or United States Senate)
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Representative/Senator (Last Name),
I am writing to you in regards to the recent letter sent by some members of the House of Representatives to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The letter recommended that the U.S government call for an international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.

As you may know, Sri Lanka in May 2009 ended nearly three decades of strife when government forces defeated the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Since then, there have been no terrorist incidents, and all Sri Lankans are living again in peace and growing prosperity. Billions of dollars have been committed to re-building conflict zones and renewing the communities and livelihoods of those affected by the fighting.

It is important to note that Sri Lanka has established its own Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission to examine how the country may best continue to heal from the conflict against terrorism. Therefore, a second, outside inquiry is not necessary.

Sri Lanka's eight-member commission, modeled after the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission that examined Apartheid, includes two Tamils. The commission holds open hearings so that grievances may be aired publicly, and it has already made impressive headway, taking testimony from both Tamil citizens displaced by the conflict and top government officials.

Indeed, Secretary Clinton has already noted the vital part the commission plays in Sri Lanka’s future, remarking that, “Such commissions of inquiry have played an important role in advancing accountability and redressing wrongs in other countries emerging from periods of internal strife.”

Sri Lanka is Asia’s oldest democracy, one that just held successful and peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections. I believe the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission is fully capable of investigating Sri Lanka’s past. Its work will promote justice and produce a result that will be respected and accepted by all Sri Lankans.

The success of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict reconciliation depends ultimately on how Sri Lankans themselves come to terms with the lessons learned during the long, painful fight against terrorism.
I ask that you please join with Secretary Clinton and support the important work of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
List of representatives who signed the letter to Secretary Clinton asking for an international investigation of Sri Lanka:

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

202-225-2111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

202.225.2906 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202.225.2906 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Tim Bishop

202.225.3826 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202.225.3826 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Bob Inglis

202-225-6030 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-6030 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. James McGovern

202-225-6101 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-6101 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Maurice Hinchey

202-225-6335 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-6335 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Rush Holt

202-225-5801 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5801 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy

202-225-2015 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2015 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez

202-225-6676 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-6676 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Vernon Ehlers

202-225-3831 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3831 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Rose L. DeLauro

202-225-3661 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3661 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Bob Filner

202-225-8045 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8045 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Donna Edwards

202-225-8699 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8699 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Michael Capuano

202-2254-5111
Cong. Phil Hare

202-225-5905 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5905 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Dennis Kucinich

202-225-5871 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5871 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Paul Hodes

202-225-5206 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5206 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Keith Ellison

202-225-4755 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4755 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Patrick Murphy

202-225-4276 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4276 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

202-225-5161 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5161 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Jim Himes

202-225-5541 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5541 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. John Sarbanes

202-225-4016 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4016 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Niki Tsongas

202-225-3411 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3411 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Jerry McNerney

202-225-1947 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-1947 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Michael McMahon

202-225-3371 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3371 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Brad Miller

202-225-3032 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3032 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Pete Stark

202-225-5065 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5065 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Danny Davis

202-225-5006 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5006 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

202-225-3816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Patrick Kennedy

202-225-4911 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4911 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Stephen Lynch

202-225-8273 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8273 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

202-225-7944 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-7944 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Jim Langevin

202-225-2735 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2735 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

202-225-8104 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8104 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Barney Frank

202.225.5931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202.225.5931 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren

202-225-3072 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3072 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

202-225-2661 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2661 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. Steven Rothman

202-225-5061 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5061 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Michael Honda

202-225-2631 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2631 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Dana Rohrabacher

202-225-2415 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2415 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Jim Moran

202-225-4376 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4376 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. G.K. Butterfield

202-225-3101 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3101 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Gene Green

202-225-1688 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-1688 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Howard Coble

202-225-3065 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3065 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Edward Markey

202-225-2836 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2836 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Brad Sherman

202-225-5911 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5911 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Steve Driehaus

202-225-2216 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2216 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Elijah Cummings

202-225-4741 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4741 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Raul Grijalva

202-225-2435 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-2435 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Jackie Speier

202-225-3531 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3531 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt

202-225-3164 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3164 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cong. John Olver

202-225-5335 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-5335 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. John Tierney

202-225-8020 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8020 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

202-225-6116 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-6116 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. Peter Welch

202-225-4115 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-4115 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Congresswoman Judy Biggert

202-225-3515 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-3515 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cong. John Garamendi

202-225-1880 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-1880 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton

202-225-8050 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-225-8050 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

CFA & misconception of int’l ‘safety net’ -The Island

The Island

CFA & misconception of int’l ‘safety net’

Garment factories exploiting Northern girls, union charges

transCurrents: Garment factories exploiting Northern girls, union charges

This is not only just a Case of exploitation of labor, but use of prisoners of war
under the pretext of rehabilitation and resettlement.
There was Tamil caution previously, and now the labor unions in the South who are all Sinhalese have woken up to the reality, tactics and tricks of the rich garment factory owners.
Tamillatest.com

The Scope of Canadian Conscience by Roy Ratnavel

The Scope of Canadian Conscience


by Roy Ratnavel
As my flight descended into Charleston, South Carolina, I could see Fort Sumpter in the horizon through my sunny window of the aged United Airlines CRJ aircraft. Fort Sumter is best known as the site upon which the first shots initiated the American Civil War — subsequently bringing on unimaginable suffering of the people during and after that gruesome period in American history.
This inspired me to write about the people I left behind almost 22 years ago and their unimaginable, still ongoing suffering due to the longest civil war in Asian history. Leading up to the finale of Sri Lankan Civil War, many military strategists, politicians and terror experts in the West have either failed to recognize the deeper issues in Sri Lanka or they have deliberately applied a methodology to cause one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies of the century.
The murder of many thousands of Tamils last year by the Sri Lankan government is one more proof of lack of common sense of Western countries intervention in Sri Lanka. The listing of the Tigers, and not condemning the atrocities of Sri Lanka on Tamils severed to only strengthen Sri Lanka's 'racial' tendencies, fanaticism and sheer brutality.
We are now witnessing the outcome of such one-sided Western meddling with Tamil freedom struggle. Proud people of 2000 year old rich culture of Indus Valley are now risking the high seas and their lives, including the lives of many orphans, begging for another chance at life, and all we Canadians can say is, "send them back." Ironically, we call ourselves a nation of 'civilized' people. One has to question if the mankind has already lost it's sanity.
Today, Sri Lanka is a ‘Democratic’ dictatorship run by a tiny elite family of thugs that suppresses the Tamil minority and denies past violence against Tamil civilians. But as always there are few noisiest cranks and sympathizers of Sri Lankan terror apparatus with clockwork prediction ready to suggest that the persecution of Tamils is a myth propagated by Tamil extremists. We know the kind of people who deny the Holocaust. What interest anyone has in denying the suffering of Tamils remains to be discovered.
I would like to recommend to those who are in denial to pick up a copy of a recent U.S. State Department report which highlights well-documented atrocities committed by Sri Lanka last year alone. Despite their sophomoric denials, the systematic abuses by Sri Lankan government forces are among the most serious imaginable. Finally, this year UN has ordered a warcrime investigation on Sri Lanka.
Canadian officials too should stop making pedestrian, boringly predictable utterances on public forums. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said, passengers paid up to $50,000 for a spot on the Sun Sea. If this sum is accurate, it suggests these people were desperate enough to spend what amounts to a small fortune to escape their homeland. I think Canada should take their desperation seriously.
Toews laments that “terrorist planning and financing” behind this voyage is extremely prejudicial to these individuals and to the Tamil community. If I were fleeing persecution, I’d be grateful to any and all who facilitated my escape. The Tamil boat-people should not be tainted by a blanket presumption of guilt.
Right now Tamils are sort of isolated, being demonized and the sense is growing in Canada that anything associated with Tamils is somehow alien, foreign and aggressive. And that is very dangerous line of thinking. Minister Toews irresponsible comments only helps to fan this illicit flame of anger.
Even the possibility that the Canadian government may be considering a deal to share intelligence with the Sri Lankan government is reprehensible. Few years back Sri Lanka was voted out of UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lankan government even said our parliamentarian Bob Rae and the Swedish Foreign Minister are a threat to Sri Lanka’s national security. Given such lack of credibility and idiocy, relying on Sri Lankan authorities for background checks on Tamil refugees who have arrived on our shores makes as much as sense as asking Colonel Sanders, "What's for dinner?"
Tamils arrival in Canada started in earnest 27 years ago in 1983 after the Sri Lankan government orchestrated horrendous race riot in July of that year. The mass exodus accelerated in the last decade of last century resulting in the largest Sri Lankan Tamil population outside of Sri Lanka. Since then, collectively Tamil lives were ‘rewired’ in this great land, and all around the free world outside the borders of Sri Lanka.
Prior to this, Tamils world consisted of the notion that populace mattered little. It is a word associated with state aggression and brutality. Tamils were exposed to death and destruction and witnessed many atrocities, engulfing us in general malaise. They are from a country where weapons dominated, and the slaughter of innocents was a form of development aid for the government.
Canadian environment of political freedom and freedom of choice, the process of enantiodromia began in one form or another. Tamils gradual transformation began from an unfairly organized, flawed democratic system into a liberal Democracy where one has the freedom to attempt to shape their own life. Tamils gained the opportunity of knowing and choosing between different forms of life — and, have now established a mounting presence in multiple facets of Canadian life: business, academic, political and social.
While the past may not repeat itself, it does often rhyme, as Mark Twain once said. Tamils’ future chapters to come may be different, but the verses are likely to sound the same. Contemporary events differ from history in that we do not know the results they will produce. Looking back, we can assess the significance of our past experiences, situations, hardships we faced and trace the consequences they have brought in our adopted country. While history runs its course, it is not history to us — rather, it’s our collective experience.
Tamils have worked their own salvation, their survival, in a long series of acts, conditions and judgments. Now Tamils who live outside of Sri Lanka have purpose. This purpose is a big part of Tamil survival. Hereto between life and death, these 492 souls arrived on our shores — chose life. Chose Canada.
Dangerous game of guilt by association could be played with almost anybody with a card and a highlighter. This whole thing has gotten to a panic mode. In our panic, us Canadians lost sight of something very important. If only someone could step up and cut through all this political posturing, grandstanding and fear-mongering and remind us what Canada is all about — a ‘civilized’ nation.
Rather than creating a smokescreen with bitter rhetoric about terrorism, Canada’s priority must be to expedite due process of each refugee claim to determine if they are legitimate refugees. Similar accusations were made last year as well when Ocean Lady came to our shores with 76 Tamil men and it turned out to be unprovable. Canada must stop this predictable pattern of reaction because such entry doesn’t need villains. Hate is diving us, and this hate is then harvested and sold as news.
If Tamils victimized in this conflict and fearing further persecution put their lives in the hands of smugglers, they are only doing what so many refugees before them have been forced to do. As an island nation, there is no way out of Sri Lanka but by air or sea. Anyone who says that ‘these people’ should have applied for entry to Canada through ‘the proper channels’ certainly haven’t paid attention to the news emerging from Sri Lanka.
Canada has an obligation under our law to take refugee claims seriously and give them due process. What is not sure is if Canadian government will send them all back to appease the masses to gain political milage — which will be unfortunate. What is for sure is if Canada sends them back without hearing their stories, then we Canadians have no right to claim that we are a ‘civilized nation.’
As I leave, I wonder if Sri Lanka could ever become like South Carolina after the civil war — devoid of state orchestrated killings but full of economic hope, peace and prosperity. And, how long would that take? Until then, Tamil boats will be roaming the friendly waters. Fort Sumpter appeared through my window yet again, as I ascended towards the cloudy sky.

roy_ratnavel@hotmail.com

Friday, August 27, 2010

Roy Ratnavel is a former Vice President of the Canadian Tamil Congress, and GTF.

The Tamil Film Maker in France:

The Island

The Film Maker
August 28, 2010, 12:00 pm
Pradeepan Raveendran

Pradeepan Raveendran was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in July 1981. He attended Jaffna Hindu College until he was 15 years old, when he and his family suffered forced displacement due to the war and had to move to his mother’s birthplace in Negombo, Sri Lanka. Pradeepan attended Wijeyaratnam Central College in Negombo.
In 2000, he began to focus on developing his childhood interest in both film and photography. He became a self-taught photographer and began to obsessively study film as well. Due to the heightening civil strife in Sri Lanka at that time, he applied for and was granted asylum status in France. He arrived in Paris as a refugee in 2004. In Paris, he became a part of the Tamil alternative political and literary circles, writing articles for Uyirinizhal (Shadows of the Soul), an independent Tamil political and literary magazine. He remains on the board of Uyirinizhal.
During this time he also became a serious professional photographer and was selected to stage 2 exhibitions, one in Paris and the other in Berlin. These exhibitions were contemporary documents of the lives of refugees in France; showing the textures of the dark spaces they occupy on the periphery of French society.
Pradeepan continues to live as a refugee in Paris.
A Synopsis
11min/2010/Sri Lanka - France/Tamil with English subtitles/RED ONE 4K

In 2010, Pradeepan completed his second short film called "Shadows of Silence", about the life in exile of a family man with three small children and one wife. This story picks up on an earlier theme of Pradeepan’s work on the border-life of refugees. The film is a deeply felt look at the personal torment of an exile and the permanent presence of pain and alienation in the depths of his heart. It shows how his bleak dreams and illusions echo instead the profound isolation of a shattered mind, driving him to contemplate ending his life.
Awards: "Shadows of Silence" premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2010, as part of its prestigious ‘Director’s Fortnight’, dedicated to honouring alternative and independent film globally. It is due to be screened at many more festivals in 2010 and 2011.

Comments made by the Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today,when asked by about Immigration in Toronto.‏

Comments made by the Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today,when asked by about Immigration in Toronto.‏


QUESTION: Premier, some comments have been made in the race for mayor that the City of Toronto should close
its doors to immigrants because it has enough trouble taking care of the 2.5 million people who live here.
Do you think that’s a very Canadian comment?

PREMIER MCGUINTY: Well, let me just say this. There are a group of people who’ve arrived in a boat on the
west coast. I think we should ask ourselves what it is that we owe these people. They’re coming here because
they despair for their future and the future of their children, in their home country. And they come here with a
sense of hope, because they believe that they might find an opportunity here. I think what we owe them is to
receive them with open hearts and open minds. It’s been said that there may be some people there who are
dangerous to us, and that may be so. But I don’t think we should approach this with any bias, presumptions,
assumptions or prejudices. I think what we owe those people is fairness. And if there are mischief-makers or
 dangerous people there, we will find them out and we will deal with them appropriately. But again, I think our
mindset when it comes to these kinds of things is to approach those folks in a Canadian way. Just something
else that I would ask you to ask yourself and all of us to ask ourselves, is: how far back do we have to go,
 when we consider our parents, some of us here, our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents,
who were received in that Canadian way, that is, with open hearts and open minds. Something to add.
We are blessed with 120,000 new Canadians every year in this province. We are the leading receiver of new
Canadians, and I am very proud to say that. And, with time and with opportunity, if you take a look at
what happens to those families, with time and with opportunity, they are some of our very best students,
some of our very best politicians, some of our very best professionals, some of our very best folks in the arts
and sports and all the sectors. So let’s understand who we are, and we approach these things with open hearts
and open minds.