Moderate Tamils' attempt to make their voices heard in Canada

by Hiranya Malwatta | April 24, 2009 at 12:41 pm

1198 views | 61 Recommendations | 53 comments

Selva Kumar, Jamal Mohamed and Lenin Benedict are members of Canadian Tamils for Peace and Democracy (CATPAD) and these individuals together with other Tamils in Canada have spoken out against the brutal terrorism of LTTE.

mistaken belief that all Tamils in Canada share the same opinion on the situation in Sri Lanka. In fact, not all Tamils in Canada are from Sri Lanka (many come from India, Malaysia, Singapore and other nations). And even among those Canadian Tamils who do come from Sri Lanka, not all support the LTTE (better known as the Tamil Tigers) or its Canadian affiliates. In fact, most of us don't support the group.

There are over a million Tamils in Sri Lanka's south living peacefully among the country's Sinhalese and Muslims. Many Tamils in Canada come from these areas, and aspire to see this same sort of pluralism in the formerly LTTE-controlled regions in Sri Lanka's north and east.

Is Canada genuine regarding their ban on LTTE? If it is so, then how is it that LTTE is still so powerful in Canada and many peace loving Tamils live in fear, why can't they make their voices heard?

Moderate Tamils have attempted to make their voices heard in Canada-- including at a recent rally on Parliament Hill organized by the Hindu Priests Association. However, hundreds of Tamil men and women were sent from Toronto by a pro-LTTE group to infiltrate the rally with Tamil Tiger flags. This sort of practice has become the norm. The Canadian media and public should understand that Tamil Tigers supporters are co-opting these events against the organizers' own wishes.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Tamiya

at 15:25 on April 24th, 2009

Lenin Benedict does not represent Canadian Tamils opinions.

He only represents the money comes to him via Sri Lankan government in bulk.

Every community has people only value their better live over everybody's good. Some countries have politicians like that in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Tamils are ashamed to associate themselves with Lenin Benedict, but the Sri Lankan High Commission has always recommend him to media on their behalf as the Sri Lanka does not care what Tamils actually desire and never want to have true representatives of them in the media spot light.

Why you have not uploaded voice the others came in to voice Tamils in the same interview?

Just go to the link below & click "play" button @ part two

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2009/200904/20090417.html

israeli.agent

at 21:54 on April 24th, 2009

Then the other voices too do not represent tamils. They have terrified of LTTEs at that time and some are even paid "plants".

Tamils are ashamed to associate themselves with LTTEs.

.Agent.

Tamiya

at 21:57 on April 24th, 2009

Yeah sure.

I guess Sri Lankan Government is the "true" representatives of Tamils, in addition to being the first in line kill Tamils. it is kinda of hard playing the Sri Lankan Government, how many roles to play!!!

Thanks for your insight.

israeli.agent

at 22:03 on April 24th, 2009

I am always here to correct mistakes, Tamiya. Here, you must write like this.

I guess Sri Lankan Government is the true representatives of Tamils, in addition to being the first in line kill LTTEs. it is kinda of hard playing the Sri Lankan Government, how many LTTEs to kill!!!

See, how beautiful the sentence look?

No need to thank me. It is a privilege to be a trailblazer for the bunch of people like you....!

.Agent.

genelia (not verified)

at 18:06 on April 27th, 2009

well! its sad that leader such as Mahatma Gandhiji was born as a leader ...Nehru Gandhi lead people to freedom and did justice to the Indian citizens ...Indira Gandhi - story goes on to say even when fainted in a demonstration against to British the Indian flag was flyin high and stood firmly on the ground... These Great leaders Did and lived for the Indian citizens from the day they were born. What politics does Rajiv Gandhi knew other than using his ancestrial name to come to power... Shame ...a leader is born for the people and dies for the people not using his mother's or grandfathers name to fool the indian citizens to come to power... Today if it was your community who care abt the rebels in your community... but kills your entire family would it be fine with you? think practically ... Today 10000 tamils are dead ... Check BBC for your reference This is a genocide ... The news that comes out is solidly from the SL government ...now BBC n American saterllites have proven that the Srilankan government as murders... after this what ever you say is useless... Because killing tamils will not end ...same as when hitler thought he killed jews ... As jews arose from their ashes to get their country... wat difference would it make with sri lankan tamils around the world? So true DILINI

Hiranya Malwatta

at 22:34 on April 24th, 2009

Tamiya,

"Thanks for your insight."

Did you get confused? This is actually my story ;-)

lalith

at 04:05 on May 3rd, 2009

Tamiya has been confused from the outset of this thread. didn't you notice?

Blue Crush

at 19:46 on April 24th, 2009

Here's another video explaining the Tamils in Canada.

Tamiya

at 20:52 on April 24th, 2009

Blue Crush:

In this section, the CBC video section is followed by own narrative from the Sri Lankan Government propaganda - which misleading at the best.

The LTTE is the only choice Tamils have in Sri Lanka, not because by the LTTE but strictly how the Sri Lankan government has killed Tamil MPs and journalists for talking for Tamils' rights.

Would the Sri Lankan be willing to run a UN monitored referendum to hear what Tamils really want in Sri Lanka? If there is no oppression, there would be no reason for LTTE to exist.

Thinking getting rid of LTTE would solve the Civil war is pure lie. Until there is oppression, there is a strong chance for a new force to emerge and thrive.

Until the root cause of the Tamils oppression is not addressed in Sri Lanka, Tamils will have only one way to survive - that is by supporting a rebel force that is powerful enough to look after them.

israeli.agent

at 21:05 on April 24th, 2009

"In this section, the CBC video section is followed by own narrative from the Sri Lankan Government propaganda - which misleading at the best."

Misleading only for brainwashed LTTE diasporans, but not for the ordinary Sri Lankan tamils. They realize the truth and the flow of funds dry up. Yes...it is a great disadvantage for the propaganda experts.

This talk, LTTE terrorists are the only choice for Sri Lankans tamils, is a lie in it's superlative form. The terrorists went to great extend to eliminate all other voices that represent Sri Lankan tamils- by killing them all.

It would be fun to watch a "new force" emerge and thrive - real fun. But that won't be a gun wielding, violent terrorists who kill civilians and conduct drug traffic and money laundering.

Sri Lankans had suffered enough and they are too good to allow the growth of any such "farse" in Sri Lanka again.

Looks like LTTE supporters are not yet happy with the kind of bloodshed..!

.Agent.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 21:29 on April 24th, 2009

Thanks a lot for the video Blue Crush.

albertacowpoke

at 20:08 on April 24th, 2009

Blue Crush your video is interesting to say the least. I think this community has to make their point via the press and engaging their MPs.

Tamiya

at 21:19 on April 24th, 2009

I just posted the The Agenda with Steve Paikin - The tear drop Island discussion videos, which has been removed by Hiranya Malwatta.

Hiranya seems to be exercising the same rules of Gotabaya - no freedom to discuss Tamils' real aspirations anywhere.

The Agenda with Steve Paikin - The Tear Drop Civil War

at 21:33 on April 24th, 2009

Tamiya,

Do you know that you have become a harrasment in NowPublic? Of course I will remove the videos that you add to my stories.

Have I ever tried to force my videos on your stories?

Please have the decency to write your own story when you need to share videos.

Thank you.

lalith

at 04:06 on May 3rd, 2009

Hiranya,

Go easy on Tamiya. This is sheer desparation at work on Tamiya's part.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 21:36 on April 24th, 2009

"Hiranya seems to be exercising the same rules of Gotabaya - no freedom to discuss Tamils' real aspirations anywhere."

That gotta be the joke of the day !

You mean you don't have the freedom to share your LTTE propaganda on your own NowPublic story?

And thanks for the comparison with Gotabhaya ! much honoured.

israeli.agent

at 21:48 on April 24th, 2009

Tamiya Saar..!

When I posted a video to your post, you just deleted that saying some lame excuse..! (Something morality stuff). If you can delete a video posted by some one else , then others too can do that. So don't try the LTTE trick of making loud noise when they are at fault here..!

In addition, you don't leave any space in your "stories" so that others can post videos. You fill them up with LTTE propaganda "genocide" and "pesticide" stuff. Yeahyeh..you have that "freedom of expression", but so do we..!!

So cute, na ?

.Agent.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 21:52 on April 24th, 2009

LOL.

That's the LTTE's kind of fairness to you !

dilini

at 17:55 on April 27th, 2009

Nice example of you telling people what to do .. isn't this enough to mind your business and interfer in your bloody indian politics than in our Srilankan affairs... we would only thank dunt expect more..

israeli.agent

at 19:10 on April 27th, 2009

Tsk..! Tsk..!

.Agent.

chanaka

at 00:17 on April 25th, 2009

Well who ever shouts against LTTE is not Tamil saviours, There are some propergandha, Is that mean LTTE should kill them. Because most of the great voices who support the innocent Tamils were killed by LTTE, starting from the Mayor of Jafna.Still they kills the innocent Tamils even they want to get rid from LTTE. And what you say Tamiya is, they were raped and torture. So please do not dishoner thesen people. They are coming out for there freedom and lives. You should help them rather crying for Terrorist. What make you cry for Terrorist ?

israeli.agent

at 01:41 on April 25th, 2009

"What make you cry for Terrorist ?"

In the beginning it was the noise of coins.

Now just primal fear.

.Agent.

BimsaraB

at 01:28 on April 25th, 2009

Thank you Tamiya for hilighting waht the LTTE has to say about it. I am sure Hiranya didnot have anything to hide from others as she has taken the clip from the Utube as it is.

Anyway all Sri Lankas are very mush open to share, duscuss and accomadate aspitations of fellow Sri Lankans irrespective of wahtever community they belong to. There is a grate degree of tolarance amongst all communities to each others way of life. This does not mean we the Sri Lankens will continue to tolarate the LTTE terrorism forever nor we will requir the openion of the NON CITIZENS of this soil to shepe up the future political contour of the Sri Lankan Nation.

Manjula Selvarajah explains in the radio discussion (although I do not agree with all what she said) when mobs attacked them in the 83 riots, how a Sinhalese woman in the neighbourhood protected and sheltered them. She goes on the say that this Sinhalese lady had said if the mobs were to come they were to come over her dead body......This ground reality is distorted to the extent that "Sinhalese Buddist's are Killing Tamils" Waht rubbish! I must say for the last 26 years, ever since this unfortunate incitednt, there has not been a single incident of communal violence In Sri Lanka.

Tamiya you MUST answer my questions below

If the LTTE are militants and not Terrorists as you claim, and the issue they have is political and with the GOSL and its paid army.

1. Why did they kill so many hundreds of Muslims inside the places of their religious worship? (eg. Kathankudy & Erawoor massacres) They are not a party to this conflict.

2. Why do they continue to kill innocent unarmed Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and other civilians belonging to all communities in all parts of the country?

3. Why did they ethnically cleans the ETTE held territory?

4. Why the LTTE cannot muster and brainwash enough cadre to fight the Army form the grown up adult tamils but is compelled to resort to kidnapping of children of school going age to fill their military cadre?

5. Why have they to forcibly conscript one member form each family? (Simply no mother or father wants to see their children killed whether they are terrorists or not)

6. Why the 7-8 % of Indian tamil population live in Sri Lanka do not accept and support the LTTE as their represantatives?

And finally, if it was alright for the LTTE to eliminate all moderate Tamil leadership and the other militant groups fighting for tamil aspirations and to do all of the above waht I have raised in my questions to become the sole representative of the Tamil people, it is purfectly alright for the GOSL to annihilate the LTTE to become the sole represantative of the Tamil people.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 01:39 on April 25th, 2009

Thank you Bimsara. Your point

"This does not mean we the Sri Lankens will continue to tolarate the LTTE terrorism forever nor we will requir the openion of the NON CITIZENS of this soil to shepe up the future political contour of the Sri Lankan Nation."
is reflected in this article by Dr. Rajasingham Narendran, a Sri Lankan Tamil.

The Tamil Diaspora should not be permitted to play a decisive role in our affairs any longer. Their grievances, hate, revenge and dreams should not continue to be our burden. They live in the past with reference to Sri Lanka and have not experienced the present. Their lives, lifestyles and aspirations are now different from ours. They are Tamils of Sri Lankan origin, but no longer Sri Lankan Tamils. They are our kin, but not our fellow citizens. They no longer know what is good for us. The unstinted and unquestioning support of the Diaspora, bordering on reverence, undoubtedly led the LTTE astray and to its alienation from most Tamils living in Sri Lanka.

Tamiya

at 09:14 on April 26th, 2009

Give me one good reason why the Sri Lankan Sinhaelse government is oppressing Tamils for last 60 years? Killing, torturing and raping over 100,000 Tamils lives.

Just in last 3 months, the Sri Lankan government has systematically trapped and killed over 20,000 Tamils, says a leaked UN document.

Above all, why the Sinhalese hate and kill Tamils so much can't let Tamils live in peace in a Tamil Eelam seperated from Sinhalese? Tamils did have their own independent state until 1833, why not let them have their own state again and bring relative peace to the Island?

If you can reasonably without using propaganda answer these questions, then I will bother answer yours.

In the Sri Lankan history Tamils have lost over 100,000 Tamils lives. The Sinhalese State Terror has more explaning to do than Tamils or LTTE.

Self defense is not a crime. That is what LTTE's actions are to Tamils.

sathyajith

at 09:41 on April 26th, 2009

Give me one good answer from where did you got all these informations? can you verify?

"Self defense is not a crime. That is what LTTE's actions are to Tamils."

That is why ltte kill civilians who try to escape ltte terror

There was a nasty incident just before this lull was announced, where they killed six civilians who were trying to leave He blamed the Tamil Tigers for not letting people go.

"It is just a matter of walking a few hundred metres in to the government controlled areas, where the government forces are". He said according to the information he had received, already about 65000 people have crossed over so far this year. "Over hundred thousand people are still waiting there to get out. We believe they are held against their will by the Tamil Tigers and they will be shot if they try to leave", John Holmes told the BBC.

John Holmes say the only way is to find a diplomatic solution. "The civilians are the last card the LTTE has. Their military situation by geography and is pretty hopeless only way for the LTTE, if they want to stop this is to lay down their arms".

"If the end is going to be purely military; an assault on the beaches, where these people are trapped, risk will be that it will be very difficult to prevent a catastrophe, a bloodbath. That is why a diplomatic solution is needed despite the brutal military agendas of both sides," says the UN special envoy Sir John Holmes.

this is only one part and what I think is most of civilians got killed by Ltte and they are brutal enough to post pictures of killed civilians on internet, even here in NP.

Tamiya

at 10:55 on April 26th, 2009

the same UN Mr John Holmes who can not put his foot down to talk to the UN aid workers who came out from the "safety zone, and are restrained in the Sri Lankan government detention camps.

UN did not even was not permitted by the Sri Lankan government to see or talk to these UN aid workers came out from the "safety zone". Why?!

Hiranya Malwatta

at 11:00 on April 26th, 2009

You are becoming such a joke.
"Self Defense" my foot.

I think you should be banned from NowPublic for insulting the intelligence of people here.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 10:46 on April 26th, 2009

"If you can reasonably without using propaganda answer these questions, then I will bother answer yours."

ha ha ha........ that gotta be the joke of this week !! :-D

Having a Propaganda-less REASONABLE dialogue with Tamiya?

Open your eyes and please have a look around. We can have reasonable dialogs with anyone else on this forum, but with you? Next to impossible.

Tamiya

at 09:36 on April 26th, 2009

Give me one good reason why the Sri Lankan Sinhaelse government is oppressing Tamils for last 60 years? Killing, torturing and raping over 100,000 Tamils lives.

Just in last 3 months, the Sri Lankan government has systematically trapped and killed over 20,000 Tamils, says a leaked UN document.

If you can reasonably without using propaganda answer these questions, then I will bother answer yours.

In the Sri Lankan history Tamils have lost over 100,000 Tamils lives. The Sinhalese State Terror has more explaning to do than Tamils or LTTE.

Self defense is not a crime. That is what LTTE's actions are to Tamils.