Sri Lankan expat may be behind Rae being barred from Sri Lanka

by Suranee | June 12, 2009 at 04:37 am

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Irangani de Silva, a Sri Lankan expat based in London may have contributed to the decision Sri Lanka took to bar Bob Rae's entry to Sri Lanka.

Silva had one of the many articles and letters she wrote targeting politicians and officials around the world published in The Island, days before Rae was turned away at Colombo's main airport.

OTTAWA–The seeds of a decision to bar Bob Rae's entry to Sri Lanka may have been planted with the pen of a Sri Lankan expatriate from London, Ont., with advance knowledge of the trip and a grudge against the federal Liberal party.

Days before Rae was turned away at Colombo's main airport late Tuesday night, allegedly for his sympathies toward the Tamil Tiger separatists, Irangani de Silva had one of the many articles and letters she has written targeting politicians and officials around the world published in The Island, a prominent Sri Lankan newspaper.

The opinion piece published in the Island was written as an an appeal urging Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona to rip up a visa granting Rae entry to Sri Lanka from June 10 to 12. Her reasons were that his report back to Canada would surely tarnish the country's image.

Silva suggested that Mr. Rae be asked to postpone his visit to a later date.

The June 8 opinion piece is an appeal urging Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona to rip up a visa granting Rae entry to Sri Lanka from June 10 to 12 because his report back to Canada would surely tarnish the country's image.

De Silva quotes comments Rae made in the Commons earlier this month urging Canada to push for a probe into an estimated 20,000 civilian deaths after the country's 25-year civil war ended last month.

"We are sure that he will return with a damning report on the government of Sri Lanka and push for war crimes investigations, publish media reports that there is discrimination, etc.," she wrote.

"Mr. Rae is due in Colombo on June 10th. There is still time to ask him to postpone his visit to a later date. ... I am laying out all the facts and requesting your help to negate this act of foolishness by the clueless people in the mission and some individuals in the foreign office in Sri Lanka."

Some Sri lankan expatriates as well as Tamil expatriates in Ottawa believe de Silva's article was the report that nixed Rae's visit.

The Sri Lanka's high commissioner in Ottawa said said he intends to sue the paper and de Silva for suggesting he personally approved Rae's visa.

Some Sri Lankan and Tamil expatriates in Canada believe de Silva's article was the report that nixed Rae's visit. "She may very well have told somebody," said Daya Perera, Sri Lanka's high commissioner in Ottawa. "It's quite possible. I wouldn't put it past her."

Perera said he intends to sue the paper and de Silva for suggesting he personally approved Rae's visa. The application was filed by the deputy high commissioner, he said.

Michael Harris in his article said the Sri Lanka government had barred Bob Rae because they were afraid that he would reveal the truth of how the Tamils were being treated.

I finally got it. Rae and Galloway had been banned for the same reason and it had nothing to do with national security.

Colombo was worried that if it gave a visa to Rae to visit the camps, then the Sri Lankan government would undoubtedly face criticism for its treatment of dispossessed Tamils.

Harris also states in his article that banning was for toxic toothpaste and landmines, not people. He also agreed with what Robert Frost had said.

Banning is for toxic toothpaste and landmines, not people. Robert Frost had it right: Before putting up a wall, best to ask what you're walling in and walling out.

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Amy Judd

at 09:07 on June 12th, 2009

Thanks for this update on the story.

Suranee

at 18:56 on June 12th, 2009

You are welcome Amy.

lalith

at 11:27 on June 12th, 2009

May be not.

High Commissioner "Perera said he intends to sue the paper and de Silva for suggesting he personally approved Rae's visa. The application was filed by the deputy high commissioner, he said.

The High Commissioner is trying to wash his hands off the issue. Little does he remember that for the right things or mistakes which his subordinates make, HE must carry the can. He was not sent to Canada on a holiday.

Being a lawyer, Perera is used to suing people. He may think that it will scare people off and shut them up.

Rae was not on an official visit and furthermore, he had a one way ticket. It is routine for a Foreign Mission to check the air ticket before a visa is issued and I am sure the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canada does the same too. I feel, in the case of Rae, they trusted him because of his position in Canada and he let them down.

Suranee

at 19:08 on June 12th, 2009

I do agree Lalith that Mr. Perera is responsible for the actions of his subordinates while doing their job. But I don't see how the Sri Lanka foreign mission would grant a visa to Mr. Rae knowing that there is a possibility that he would be deported from Sri Lanka.

Another thing, the one way ticket from what I know is an allegation made by media reports from the Sri Lankan capital Columbo. If you can add more info about this reported by the international media confirming that it is true Mr. Rae in fact did have a one-way ticket, please do so.

In other remarks published later in the same article Sri Lankan Immigration Commissioner P.B. Abeykoon alleges Rae wasn’t allowed to enter the country because of intelligence: “We got information from the intelligence services that his visit to the country was not suitable.” Media reports from the Sri Lankan capital Columbo allege Rae had only a one-way ticket.

lalith

at 20:51 on June 12th, 2009

Let's see what we can come up with.

lalith

at 20:50 on June 12th, 2009

What is your rank muranee? And what is your story?

If you are going to contribute to NP for rank, then forget about it. Just swallow your ego, come out your unverified status and register first. Then, make some good contributions and you will be OK.

I have a strong feeling that all who are ranked started at zero. So, if you are thinking of rank only register first with NP and then go from there.

Good Luck.

muranee (not verified)

at 21:26 on June 12th, 2009

[edited by staff]

lalith

at 02:38 on June 13th, 2009

Suranee will get her rank and she is doing well on NP. I don't think she needs some unverified guy to help her to go up the ladder.

I am sure you can't do something on your own either. Why don't you join NP and try your hand at uploading some stories? I am sure you are not capable.

Suranee

at 04:21 on June 13th, 2009

Thank you Lalith.

As for the unverified muranee and kuranee who have been leaving comments on my stories, I'm really not bothered about what they write on my stories because the comments will be deleted. The good news is a staff at NP told me they know who it is.

It's really sad that NowPublic is now being used by a few people who are already members here to come as anons and leave comments on other member's stories just to attack them. But the main thing is the NP staff can detect who is doing it and hopefully will put a stop to it.

Amy Judd

at 08:34 on June 13th, 2009

I have issued the member with a final warning - the next comment and their account will be deleted.

Suranee

at 00:01 on June 14th, 2009

Thank you Amy.

CeeGee

at 23:05 on June 12th, 2009

Lalith,

It is heartening to note that there are Sri Lankan Patriots like Irangni de Silva, willing to speak up against LTTE supporters & condoners in Canada.

Daya Perera as High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada, what a poor choice. Could it be possible for the Canadian Govt. to give refugee status and keep him there, permanently.

As for Muranee,

If you are in Sri Lanka, better adjust your computer clock, as your retorts are half an hour too early.