Dear Hon. Members of Parliament (Tory Caucus)

5 Sept 2006

As a Sinhalese-Canadian, I am writing to appeal to you to give serious consideration for the developing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The Tamil Tigers, the notorious terrorists, are being beaten on the battlefield subsequent to a well-intended mission taken up by the Government of Sri Lanka to minimise casualties to both the armed forces and civilians as result of endless violations by the Tamil Tigers of the weak Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) contrived by Norway.

In spite of these battlefield defeats, the Tamil Tigers have found a source of inspiration from an unexpected ally, Norway. It is the country that we have come to admire for recognizing peace activism throughout the world, sadly Sri Lankans see their comradeship with the Tamil Tigers is a shocking display of moral denigration. How is it that Norway finds Tamil Tigers with a long history of brutal terrorism an appealing group to work with when there are several non-violent Sri Lankan Tamil political parties in existence working to find a solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic problem? Norway’s position is that if the violent is to end, the Government of Sri Lanka as no option but to seek “peace” with a terrorist group, who conveniently claims to represent all Tamils (?). They pursue an agenda of violent self-determination struggle for a separate statehood for “Eelam.”

Though not a member of the EU, Norway has become the biggest apologists for Tamil Tigers for bizarre reasons know only to them, even attempted to sabotage the EU decision to ban the Tamil Tigers. Unfortunately, they have concluded that among several alternative Tamil political parties that Tamil Tigers are the sole representatives of Sri Lankan Tamils. To supplement their conclusion there have been several instances of Norwegian military hardware and communication equipment being donated to Tamil Tigers, thus allowing them to remain active in the business of terrorizing Tamils and Sinhalese.

The Tamil Tigers, with their Norwegian backers are promoting a separate as an excuse to end terrorism. This is extremely acceptable to those who were born and raised in Sri Lanka, which is a country united by ethnic diversity, just as Canada is today. Would you as MPs of the Conservative Party of Canada allow Quebec to separate just because their aspirations run high from time to time? I guess not, Sri Lanka is not an island that can be split up based on the whims of Liberals and NDP to get elected to form the next government.

My letter to you has a specific purpose, that is to bring to your attention the following:

• Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are NOT the sole representatives of Tamils
• For 25 years Tamil Tigers have initiated a racist war against the Sinhalese committing ethnic cleansing, while the Sinhalese have provided security to over three million Tamils of all ethnicity to live among them in the Sinhala dominant South
• Tamils represents the third minority (8%) after the Muslims (10%)
  
• Tamil Tigers are a proven unreliable – discredited – murderous - terror outfit unsuited to engage in democratic politics to bring peace to Sri Lanka.

To seek a permanent solution the Sri Lankan Tamils must choose a non-violent leadership to represent them instead of LTTE to initiate a direct dialogue with the GOSL. Under the present climate, there is a clear mandate for the government of Sri Lanka to act forcefully against the terrorists. Given that, Sinhalese and other minorities in Sri Lanka refuse to negotiate with Tamil Tiger terrorists. (Similar to the refusal by the Afghan government and NATO forces along with the Canadian government to seek peace with Taliban forces in the Afghan conflict. It is already determined that the presence of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan is to deliver a blow to Taliban to force them to give up terrorism).

On the issue of seeking a non-violent Tamil partner to end the civil strife, the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) represents the most appreciated alternative acceptable to the majority Sinhalese. The TUFL is led by V. Anandasangaree, a passionate politician with over fifty years of experience in Sri Lankan politics. He and his party represent the Tamil liberation since independence from the British and today its leadership is somewhat decimated by the Tamil Tigers for opposing its violent campaign. The TULF and Mr. V. Anandasangaree hold the best hope for bringing peace to Tamils.

Herewith I present to you the excerpts from a recent letter by him to the President of Sri Lanka – Mahinda Rajapakse, expressing his desire to find the way to resolve the conflict in a peaceful manner, which is fundamental in seeking a solution.