By Brian Turner
The Sunday Leader this week spoke with David Poopalapillai the spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) is a non-profit organisation which serves as the voice of Tamil Canadians. Headquartered in Toronto, the CTC has 11 chapters across the country and an elected board of directors. The non-partisan organisation works as the community’s spokesperson on the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. Its chapters can be found in Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, London, Edmonton, Vancouver, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Windsor and Regina.
Our Foreign Correspondent
Sunday, October 23, 2011The Sunday Leader this week spoke with David Poopalapillai the spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) is a non-profit organisation which serves as the voice of Tamil Canadians. Headquartered in Toronto, the CTC has 11 chapters across the country and an elected board of directors. The non-partisan organisation works as the community’s spokesperson on the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. Its chapters can be found in Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, London, Edmonton, Vancouver, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Windsor and Regina.Q: At this time what Political Party is the Tamil Diaspora supporting?
A: At this time, the Tamil Diaspora is supporting the Tamil National Alliance(TNA). The Tamil people in Sri Lanka have placed their trust in the TNA by decisively voting for the TNA in the parliamentary elections and again during the local government elections held in the North East region of Sri Lanka recently. The Tamil people have given a clear mandate to the TNA and it is their belief that the elected party will confidently and accurately represent their wishes. The Tamil Diaspora respects the wishes of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and accordingly, we are also placing our trust in the Tamil National Alliance.
A: At this time, the Tamil Diaspora is supporting the Tamil National Alliance(TNA). The Tamil people in Sri Lanka have placed their trust in the TNA by decisively voting for the TNA in the parliamentary elections and again during the local government elections held in the North East region of Sri Lanka recently. The Tamil people have given a clear mandate to the TNA and it is their belief that the elected party will confidently and accurately represent their wishes. The Tamil Diaspora respects the wishes of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and accordingly, we are also placing our trust in the Tamil National Alliance.
Q: Does the Tamil Diaspora feel that this Government is doing enough to help the Tamils in Sri Lanka?
A: We acknowledge the recent steps that have been taken by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird in calling for an international investigation into credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final stages of the war. With the approximate number of 300,000 Tamils living in Canada, we believe that this government has a duty to its citizens to apply much needed international pressure on Sri Lanka with respect to concerns of accountability. While the government has just recently voiced its opinion on the situation in Sri Lanka, it must be noted that for the last few years, more notably during the crucial months in 2009, the Government of Canada remained silent. While we applaud the recent actions taken by government officials, it is our hope that the Government of Canada will increase its voice on the international arena.
A: We acknowledge the recent steps that have been taken by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird in calling for an international investigation into credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final stages of the war. With the approximate number of 300,000 Tamils living in Canada, we believe that this government has a duty to its citizens to apply much needed international pressure on Sri Lanka with respect to concerns of accountability. While the government has just recently voiced its opinion on the situation in Sri Lanka, it must be noted that for the last few years, more notably during the crucial months in 2009, the Government of Canada remained silent. While we applaud the recent actions taken by government officials, it is our hope that the Government of Canada will increase its voice on the international arena.
Q: Is the Diaspora still looking for a Political Solution in Sri Lanka or looking at a separate state?
A: The Tamil Diaspora will be agreeable to a political solution which meets the genuine aspirations and long standing grievances of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. However, it is of crucial importance that the political solution should be agreeable to both the Tamil people and Tamil leadership in Sri Lanka; it should NOT be forced upon them. In order for Sri Lanka to obtain sustainable reconciliation, it needs to be able to provide justice to its own citizens.
A: The Tamil Diaspora will be agreeable to a political solution which meets the genuine aspirations and long standing grievances of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. However, it is of crucial importance that the political solution should be agreeable to both the Tamil people and Tamil leadership in Sri Lanka; it should NOT be forced upon them. In order for Sri Lanka to obtain sustainable reconciliation, it needs to be able to provide justice to its own citizens.
Q: Will the Tamil Diaspora agree if the Tamil political parties come to a settlement with the government?
A:The Tamil people in Sri Lanka have confidently voted for the TNA and accordingly, if the Tamil parties under the leadership of TNA have agreed to a clear and transparent settlement agreement, then the Tamil Diaspora will agree to it. It is imperative that any proposed agreement meets the genuine grievances and long standing aspirations of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. The TNA has a clear mandate which is in line with what the Tamil people desire – so long as a proposed settlement is in accordance with this mandate, the Tamil Diaspora will be in agreement.
A:The Tamil people in Sri Lanka have confidently voted for the TNA and accordingly, if the Tamil parties under the leadership of TNA have agreed to a clear and transparent settlement agreement, then the Tamil Diaspora will agree to it. It is imperative that any proposed agreement meets the genuine grievances and long standing aspirations of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. The TNA has a clear mandate which is in line with what the Tamil people desire – so long as a proposed settlement is in accordance with this mandate, the Tamil Diaspora will be in agreement.
Q: Now that the armed struggle by the LTTE is over, has the funding stopped by the Diaspora?
A: Despite the end of the armed struggle in Sri Lanka, the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka has not come to a stop. The Tamil Diaspora will provide funding for the rehabilitation of civilians who were affected by the armed struggle provided that it is through independent, international organisations which will ensure that funds are actually being reached to those in need. In order for sustainable reconciliation to commence, the grievances must first be addressed. Once these grievances are addressed, and a solution that is acceptable to the Tamil people living in Sri Lanka is reached, the Diaspora will assist those affected by the war get their lives back on track.
A: Despite the end of the armed struggle in Sri Lanka, the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka has not come to a stop. The Tamil Diaspora will provide funding for the rehabilitation of civilians who were affected by the armed struggle provided that it is through independent, international organisations which will ensure that funds are actually being reached to those in need. In order for sustainable reconciliation to commence, the grievances must first be addressed. Once these grievances are addressed, and a solution that is acceptable to the Tamil people living in Sri Lanka is reached, the Diaspora will assist those affected by the war get their lives back on track.
Q: What will happen to the Tamils seeking refugee status now that the war is over. Do they want to come back?
A: The situation in Sri Lanka is far from settled. Assessments deeming Sri Lanka safe enough to return like people in the past were grossly premature. It is too soon to assume that the problems are over in Sri Lanka. The oppression against Tamil people continues in Sri Lanka. Tamil people continue to have genuine reasons to seek refugee status outside Sri Lanka. It is our position that until a political solution acceptable by Tamils is achieved in Sri Lanka, Tamil people should continue to be granted refugee status.
A: The situation in Sri Lanka is far from settled. Assessments deeming Sri Lanka safe enough to return like people in the past were grossly premature. It is too soon to assume that the problems are over in Sri Lanka. The oppression against Tamil people continues in Sri Lanka. Tamil people continue to have genuine reasons to seek refugee status outside Sri Lanka. It is our position that until a political solution acceptable by Tamils is achieved in Sri Lanka, Tamil people should continue to be granted refugee status.
