Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:
“Canada condemns the arrest of Azath Salley, leader of Sri Lanka’s newly formed Muslim Tamil National Alliance. Mr. Salley was reportedly taken into custody by Sri Lankan authorities on May 2.
Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom
“We call for Mr. Salley’s immediate release. We understand his arrest is likely motivated by his work on human rights, in particular his defence of religious freedom, including the right of religious communities to practise their faith in Sri Lanka without fear of reprisals.
“This latest action by the authorities suggests strongly that those who dare to criticize the Government of Sri Lanka can face consequences such as imprisonment.
“Canada will continue to stand by all those who courageously speak out against egregious violations of human rights and freedom of religion.”
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
J.Muthu / May 4, 2013
Only way thease rajapakse thigs must puninshed. sinhala budshits live in their own world. economic sanctions is the only way…sinhala budshits must be punished….for their crime against their crime against tamils od ealam….
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Ajith Kumara / May 4, 2013
You Idiot Mutthu the racist
Pure Tamil LTTE killed tens of thousands of civilians including innocent women and children, Muslim Osam BL killed many thousands in his Alkaida movement. But Sinhala Buddhist never said that the Tamils or Muslims must be punished or never called others to banned or to bring sanctions against Tamils and Muslims as SBs new that the LTTE and the Alkaida was extremist, racist Terrorists groups among majority of Tamil and Muslim moderates. Stupid LTTE got the lions woken up in 2006 and got destroyed themselves. Lions had to eradicate the LTTE as there was no option but destroying the LTTE or be destroyed by the LTTE.
Asath Saly who is one of the western agent like MS who are paid for implementing western plans locally has been arrested by SL law enforcing offices on legitimate complains and evidences for provocation of violent acts between Muslims and Buddhists using electronic media. If you don’t recognize it as a crime against humanity, you are a number one idiot. Wait and see what happens next without fooling around you dumb fool.
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Lankan / May 4, 2013
Ajith, if you say Salley was instigating communal disharmony, what do you call Bodu Bala Sena for acting like a Balu Bala Sena and instigating violence among various religions, attacking religious places of worship, shops of other communities and above all violating the Prevention of Terrorism Act? When we see something wrong then we all should have the guts to say its wrong. If we do not do that then we are equally responsible for the wrong doing.
“The kind of seed sown
will produce that kind of fruit.
Those who do good will reap good results.
Those who do evil will reap evil results.
If you carefully plant a good seed,
You will joyfully gather good fruit.”
Dhammapada
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J.Muthu / May 4, 2013
Come on economic sanction and travel ban of rajapakse thugs only answer. nothing will work. sinhala budshits must suffer for their grave mistakes. Better recognise ealam for tamils. good for sinhala peasants and tamils of ealam…
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Tuan / May 8, 2013
I fully endorse your view.Sanction and war crime charges to these racist leaders is very essential to save sri Lanka from disaster.GSP plus removal was a very good move by EU to all these village girls who worshipped this killer can now go home and rest without a job in the garment factories.
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K.A Sumanasekera / May 4, 2013
The great majority of the inhabitant population had a gut feeling that the alleged attacks on Muslim cousins is a plot hatched by the overseas Diaspora supporters and implemented through their lackys in Srilnka.
How can this M TNA align with the TNA ,given the terrible treatment meted out to innocent Muslims in the North and the East, by the LTTE which Sambandan whole heartedly supported all along. and his fellow MPs are totally commited to the same path that the LTTE wanted to take them?.
Isn’t it Mr Sambandan who tried to make political capital out of a few isolated incidents created by recalcitrant elements and incite the poor rural and urban Muslims ?.
The great majority of the peace loving population now wonder how much the Western Alliance of the Diaspora have invested in the M TNA and the recalcitrants up to date?.
By the way the Muslims in the Middle East as well as in our Neighborhood nations must be hoping that the Canadian Govt show them the same concern and sympathy that they are extending to this Muslim.
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quidproquo / May 4, 2013
“How can this M TNA align with the TNA ,given the terrible treatment meted out to innocent Muslims in the North and the East, by the LTTE which Sambandan whole heartedly supported all along.”
In the same way, and perhaps for the same reasons, that the LTTE and other militant Tamil nationalists have been absorbed into the Sri Lankan government. if you require more information, please contact KP, Karuna, Pillayan, Douglas, and the Rajapaksas.
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Lankan / May 4, 2013
Sumane, who game money to Prabaharan so that LTTE will stop voting in the Presidential Elections>?
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Dr. Aslam / May 4, 2013
Thank you Canada… You really care about us!
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Jay / May 4, 2013
I do not know why Canada is so much interested in Sri Lankan affairs which have negligible concern to international community. Looks like a well directed action to move CHOGM out of Colombo
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DODU / May 4, 2013
Some one in this world should pay interest on the politics of thuggery in the name of democracy. We are happy at least Canada is doing it!
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Dharshana / May 4, 2013
Is the opposition CMC member Canadian?
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Daham / May 4, 2013
Racist can’t tolerate that Sri Lanka has an opportunity to host CHOGM and lead it for next two years. They think only they have the right & they are the only right thinking people. They have completely forgotten how they have become the Canada today & genocide against the original ethnicities lived in that land. Now some of them act like the saviours of the world while supporting US & UK to kill Muslims. They can’t wash out their sins by trying to show sympathy to minorities living in this country. If you don’t want to come don’t come. We don’t want such A**H***’s stepping in to our country. What human rights activities done by AS. He was trying to get his vote base increased by inciting racism and he can’t even work with his own Muslim community & other muslim leaders & trying to unite Muslims & Tamils against Majority. He is a lost cause & even while criticising MR & regime he is still doing his shady land & business deals using his crony. I know this man personally & how opportunistic he is. He thinks he know it all & just another sucker like the other stupid R Hak.. Who has an excuse all the time to be on the side of any government for his own benefits. For them women of all religions are halal and only worry about meat being haram when not done in their way. AS should be arrested for inciting racism. They should do the same for ones of BBS / Ravana balaya & not forgetting other criminals who get miraculously cured with a bail note. Now we know that judges are better doctors and Bail is more powerful than medicine than what. Racist Canadian’s get a life…
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Fair N Square / May 4, 2013
About time something happened for the GOOD of SL’s citizenry. These SO CALLED leaders are raping the national wealth as if, there is NO tomorrow. The country is in dire straights. Freeze the assets of ALL politicians and slap a travel ban. Will be nice to see some UN forces come in too… Get those who committed crimes against humanity extradited via a 3rd country. Someone or some NGO’s should file a case in US courts for their extradition via a 3rd country as most of em are US citizens…. so when they travel to a 3rd country, they would be arrested irrespective of a Diplomatic Passport…so they may face the sweet arm of LAW
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Fair N Square / May 4, 2013
IF the IMF president could be taken off a plane hand cuffed, he being a shark…… our politicians are sprats….
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Scrum-Half / May 4, 2013
I don’t have Skype and I can only call if your phone accepts “collect calls”. We have millions who want to lodge complains you can use against Sri Lanka but only if you can make the phone call free for us.
Some of your First Nations also will be interested.
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Rees / May 4, 2013
Thanks Canada …! Someone got to stop the regime for their uncivilised attitude .
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hnf / May 4, 2013
Thank you Sir.
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SAROJINI / May 7, 2013
Canada/ USA must learn to mind its own buisness , Does SL comment on who they arrest ???
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J muththa / May 4, 2013
Canada can f/o. Go and attend to your first citizens rights.
Andrew bennet, you guys are robbers.
Muthu… have you reconciled your caste differences.
First wipe away the blood stained hands of the blood of your teens, youth & children whom you sent forth as cannon fodder with the funds you sent to ltte to fight the GOSL.
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AYMAN / May 4, 2013
REMEMBER CANADA IS A COUNTRY WHICH HELPED SRI LANKA WITHOUT LAYING ANY CONDITIONS.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT KATUNAYAKE KNOW THAT IT WAS A GIFT FROM CANADA.
THERE ARE MANY SRI LANKANS SETTLED IN CANADA WHO ARE VERY WELL LOOKED AFTER AND HAPPY.
IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE COUNTRIES LIKE CANADA, WHO ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
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Fair N Square / May 4, 2013
sorry to correct you. I have seen a sign that says.. a gift from Japan…
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Shainaz / May 4, 2013
Thank you Andrew Bennet. With more people like you this world will be a wonderful place.
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JimSofty / May 5, 2013
Canadian govt did not invite any Buddhist representatives when they inaugurated the Andrew Bennett office.
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Rafeek Riyas / May 5, 2013
Both the BBS and Azad Sally are the product of Tamil diaspora. It is a clear requirements for Diaspora to create a hating and class among communities. So that the diaspora will turn Muslim towards the Tamil which is the mandatory requirements for their Eeelam dream and merger of north and East provinces.
Further the diaspora will get benifitted from each and every situation but the country will distroyed.
1. If the BBS was areated; diaspora funded medias and group will voice againt it and try to create a serious issue and clashes. Ultimately people are the loosers.
2. Now Azad Zally arested for revitling the BBS, and in the name of “againt to racism” creating racism. But some politisian, media, element of diaspora politisian making the situation worse. In the name fighting to release Azad lot of harthal will be organised indirectly clashes will be motivated. Muslims were misguided to hate the community leaders and beliving in Mano, Sumanthiran, Wicramabagu Garunaretne, Mangalesameraweera, Jayat JayewArdena, Karu Jayasoriya etc., etc., Ultimately diaspora harvesting the crops and getting the ten fold benifit for their investment.
3. Just let the elements to be their own; BBS continue its work, Azad try keep the BBS in the peoples mind continuously. (When the BBS silent Azad revitaling them by so prequent press confrence and activities.
What ever the scenario diaspora will gain milage, unless otherwise the people well educated and understand hidden agenda.
Major gains for diaspora;
1. Turn the mulims towads tamils and tamil political leaders. It is madatory for the Northe and East proviced mearged Eelam.
2. damge the government support from the people specially from minority.
3. Crete a sitution to internationlise and pressure the government.
4. A riots like 83 july will make the way easy for a seperte Eelam with support wishing of Muslims, International communities, Tamilnadu etc. etc.
The present situation is very dangerous, each and every citizen of Sri Lanka should be educated about the situation carefully to think rationally.
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mohamed feroz / May 5, 2013
Thank you sir,
i believe there is a bad political practices at sri lanka by present government / parties in the current period and also you can recognize realize the period of Civil war what kind of war crimes can took place.
I hope that through the human rights and world & Europe nation can support to do the re-correction again the government.
Thanks & Best regards,
Mohammed Feroz
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Nawala Somey / May 6, 2013
I am a canadian. When Sri Lanka criticize you, I`d take that as a badge of Honour. God bless Canada.In Canada we treat everyone equally. regardless of color religion or gender, there are people from 50 different ethnic lives here in Canada and I am proud to be a Canadian
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Jayantha / May 7, 2013
Start with a Travel Ban on Rajapakse dictatorial regime including their siblings, families and friends,parliament Ministers, VIP’s and party goons.
This is the best way to go.
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