Government of Canada Hears the Plight of Sri lankan Community

Toronto: A forum was organized by South Asians for Human Rights Association (SAHRA) at Markham City Hall, in Canada was attended by the dozens of Tamil community leaders and Oakridges-Markham constituents on February 20th 2009.

The forum opened up direct dialogue between the Government of Canada and the Tamil Diaspora directly affected by the atrocities suffered by 250,000 civilians stuck amidst cross-fire in the Northern Vanni region of Sri Lanka. The forum attended by the attended by respected and prominent Conservative politicians, Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Oakridges-Markham Conservative MP Paul Calandra and Candidate of Record Chuck Konkel and was moderated by SAHRA chair Roger Nair as the neutral party.

Local Tamil community leaders articulated and emotionally explained to the panel of prevailing serious plights of Tamil civilians in Vanni and how that situations affects all walks of the Canadian Tamil community here in Canada. Hon. Minister Jason Kenney told the packed crowd at the town hall that, Given the escalation of violence in the region, we are committing an additional $1.5 million of aid on top of the $3 million already announced which will go directly to the safety and security of the civilians through aid agencies such as the UNHCR and Red Cross, and not through the government.

Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister & Oakridges-Markham Conservative MP Paul Calandra

Full Text of the SAHRA press release:

Emotions run high at Sri Lanka related townhall

TORONTO, Feb. 26 /CNW/ - A forum was organized by South Asians for Human Rights Association (SAHRA) on Friday Feb. 20th, 2009, at Markham City Hall, to create a dialogue between the Government of Canada and the Tamil Diaspora directly affected by the atrocities suffered by 250,000 civilians stuck amidst cross-fire in the Northern Vanni region of Sri Lanka.

The meeting was attended by respected and prominent Conservative politicians, Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Oakridges-Markham Conservative MP Paul Calandra and Candidate of Record Chuck Konkel with over 80 Community leaders and constituents, and was moderated by SAHRA chair Roger Nair as the neutral party.

Moderator, SAHRA chair, Mr. Roger Nair

In the spirit of core Canadian values - human rights, rule of law, democracy and freedom - Canada has listened and responded to the concerns of Sri Lanka through parliamentary statements and a commitment to financial aid, but wanted to continue their action through further engagement with the community.

A roundtable with Hon. Jason Kenney took place at the Ministers Regional Office, Toronto, to address the civilian and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka with various Sri-Lankan-Tamil community leaders and SAHRA representatives Mr. Shan Padda Esq. and Roger Nair Esq.. The need for civilian evacuation, medical aid and human rights in the war-torn region was discussed.

The Minister, promised to look into the matter immediately, and consult with cabinet colleagues/caucus members in Ottawa. He expressed sincere, personal concerns that Tamil-Canadians from all walks of life were being painted and branded with the same broad brush as Tamil-Tiger suspects.

"We feel very concerned that certain undertones have been pinned onto the local Tamil-Canadian community, and that was surely not our intention." Hon. Minister Jason Kenney told the crowded room in his opening remarks. "Given the escalation of violence in the region, we are committing an additional $1.5 million of aid on top of the $3 million already announced which will go directly to the safety and security of the civilians through aid agencies such as the UNHCR and Red Cross, and not through the government."

A petition and a memorandum signed by numerous Tamil Canadians outlining the problem and suggestions was presented to the Minister and MP Paul Calandra which was subsequently read in the House of Commons on Monday Feb 23rd 2009.

Ministerial & M.P. Staff

"The Conservative government is concerned about the civilian loss of life caused by the civil conflict in Sri Lanka. We have twice issued a public statement expressing our deep concerns and have spoken with the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs," said MP Paul Calandra. "It is important to speak to those directly affected by this crisis. I wanted to hear how the local community is dealing with the situation and to find out about what else I could be doing," said Calandra who has a significant number of Tamil constituents in his riding.

"It is important for us as world citizens to pay attention and bring to light any Human Rights violations that take place anywhere in the world. We are deeply concerned about the mounting civilian loss of life and lack of medical aid in the war torn region in Sri Lanka and urge both the warring parties to commit to a immediate ceasefire so hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians can be evacuated" said Roger Nair who chairs SAHRA.

SAHRA (meaning "to lean on" in Hindi, Urdu or Punjabi) is a Human Rights Organization that helps spread the knowledge of Human rights as outlined in UN charter. SAHRA is dedicated to helping individuals and or group of individuals whose human rights have been violated.

 For further information: (905) 677-7500, Shan Padda, SAHRA; (905) 294-0004, MP Paul Calandra