NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan held by 'terrorism' investigators in Sri Lanka
January 1, 2014 9
Military officers in Sri Lanka have placed an NDP MP visiting the Indian Ocean island under house arrest Tuesday, confining Rathika Sitsabaiesan to her hotel, according to unverified reports.
Sitsabaiesan was met at her hotel by a military office from the Sri Lankan "Terrorist Investigation Department" (TID) Tuesday evening after visiting she had visited some Tamil-dominated areas in the north part of the country.
Sitsabaiesan, who just celebrated her 32nd birthday Dec. 23 and is the first Tamil ever to be elected to Parliament, has been a fierce critic of the Sri Lankan government,which stands accused of war crimes against Tamils during that country's bitter and bloody civil war.
Sitsabaiesan, who represents the Toronto area riding of Scarborough-Rouge River -- a riding with a large Tamil population -- had spoken out against the government at a Parliament Hill rally this fall.
Two online sources -- TamilNet and the Colombo (Sri Lanka) Gazette -- reported that Sitsabaiesan had been confined to her hotel in Jaffna, the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province.
Minister of State for Consular Affairs Lynne Yelich tweeted late Tuesday, "My staff is in direct contact to provide support. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will be making representations in Sri Lanka to determine her status."
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird's department is investigating Sitsabaiesan's situation and tweeted: "Minister @Lynne_Yelich and I, and our staff are working on these reports of @RathikaS. We've been in contact."
(cnews.canoe.ca)
January 1, 2014 9Military officers in Sri Lanka have placed an NDP MP visiting the Indian Ocean island under house arrest Tuesday, confining Rathika Sitsabaiesan to her hotel, according to unverified reports.
Sitsabaiesan was met at her hotel by a military office from the Sri Lankan "Terrorist Investigation Department" (TID) Tuesday evening after visiting she had visited some Tamil-dominated areas in the north part of the country.
Sitsabaiesan, who just celebrated her 32nd birthday Dec. 23 and is the first Tamil ever to be elected to Parliament, has been a fierce critic of the Sri Lankan government,which stands accused of war crimes against Tamils during that country's bitter and bloody civil war.
Sitsabaiesan, who represents the Toronto area riding of Scarborough-Rouge River -- a riding with a large Tamil population -- had spoken out against the government at a Parliament Hill rally this fall.
Two online sources -- TamilNet and the Colombo (Sri Lanka) Gazette -- reported that Sitsabaiesan had been confined to her hotel in Jaffna, the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province.
Minister of State for Consular Affairs Lynne Yelich tweeted late Tuesday, "My staff is in direct contact to provide support. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will be making representations in Sri Lanka to determine her status."
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird's department is investigating Sitsabaiesan's situation and tweeted: "Minister @Lynne_Yelich and I, and our staff are working on these reports of @RathikaS. We've been in contact."
(cnews.canoe.ca)
Canadian MP not questioned by Sri Lankan authorities
January 1, 2014
By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody
Immigration and Emigration Officials are alleged to have questioned a Sri Lankan born Canadian MP who is currently touring Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission.
Born in Jaffna, Rathika Sitsabaiesan is said to have arrived here based on an invitation by the Tamil National Alliance.
While she has already been to her house in Jaffna, using her Tourist Visa she is said to have engaged in political activities and international news reports have published that she has since been placed under house arrest by Sri Lankan authorities.
“We have not taken her into questioning,” added Department of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Chulananda Perera.
Department of Immigration and Emigration Monitoring, Intelligence and Investigating Unit Chief Immigration Officer Amith Perera stated that “From what we know she is a dual citizenship holder. The Criminal Investigation Department or the State Intelligence Service must be conducting investigations.”
Northern Province Chief Minister C. Vigneswaran and Jaffna Police were not available for a comment.
When queried as to whether she was under house arrest in Jaffna, while Tilko Jaffna City Hotel General Manager S. Sutheswaran confirmed that she was currently staying at the Hotel, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana stated that “We have not placed her under house arrest.”
Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya confirmed that “This is a false report that has originated from Canada.”
January 1, 2014By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody
Immigration and Emigration Officials are alleged to have questioned a Sri Lankan born Canadian MP who is currently touring Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission.
Born in Jaffna, Rathika Sitsabaiesan is said to have arrived here based on an invitation by the Tamil National Alliance.
While she has already been to her house in Jaffna, using her Tourist Visa she is said to have engaged in political activities and international news reports have published that she has since been placed under house arrest by Sri Lankan authorities.
“We have not taken her into questioning,” added Department of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Chulananda Perera.
Department of Immigration and Emigration Monitoring, Intelligence and Investigating Unit Chief Immigration Officer Amith Perera stated that “From what we know she is a dual citizenship holder. The Criminal Investigation Department or the State Intelligence Service must be conducting investigations.”
Northern Province Chief Minister C. Vigneswaran and Jaffna Police were not available for a comment.
When queried as to whether she was under house arrest in Jaffna, while Tilko Jaffna City Hotel General Manager S. Sutheswaran confirmed that she was currently staying at the Hotel, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana stated that “We have not placed her under house arrest.”
Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya confirmed that “This is a false report that has originated from Canada.”
