Condemning the Sri Lankan government’s ban on Tamil Diaspora organisations the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) today invites interested parties to review the recent judgment of the Ontario Superior Court,ruling in favour of CTC in a libel case against Sri Lankan-born ‘terrorism expert’ Rohan Gunaratna, who had been quoted as saying, “the LTTE is operating under the name of the Canadian Tamil Congress, which is the main LTTE front organization in Canada.” In his ruling, Justice Stephen E. Firestone found, “it is unequivocal and uncontroverted that [Gunaratna’s] statements were, in fact, false and untrue,” and awarded damages to CTC in the amount of $53,000. In this light, CTC categorically rejects the Sri Lankan government’s proscription of CTC as funding or supporting terrorist activities.
David Poopalapillai and Manjula Selvarajah (CTC)
Canadian Tamil Congress today categorically rejects Sri Lankan Government’s (GoSL) claim that the CTC is a “terrorist” organisation”, saying the ban is a GoSL’s reactive measures to the recent UN Human Rights Council resolution on SriLanka.
“The work that CTC does in regard to Sri Lanka has always been and continues to be focused on improving the human rights situation, in conformity and with respect for international law,” stated David Poopalapillai, national spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.
“This is a cynical attempt to silence that work. Sri Lanka cannot continue to vilify human rights defenders by resorting to accusations of ‘terrorism’. It is unfortunate, that the government of Sri Lanka is unable to concentrate on seeking justice and accountability, resorting instead to such low tactics and fear mongering” concluded Poopalapillai.
Issuing a statement the CTC said; “Last month, United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 25/1 mandated the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct an independent investigation into, “serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties inSri Lanka,” which was seen internationally as a victory for human rights in Sri Lanka.
“It is with great respect for international law that the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) has advocated since 2009 for the establishment of an international investigation into human rights violations committed by both sides in the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, as well as into the ongoing abuses of human rights in the country. It is evident therefore that the recent proscription of CTC by the Sri Lankan government, and its baseless allegations, are a direct response to the successful establishment of such an independent inquiry through the Human Rights Council’s resolution. Under the guise of counter-terrorism, the Sri Lankan government is clearly attempting to hinder the upcoming investigation in any way possible, by preventing and de-legitimizing the work of human rights defenders on the ground in Sri Lanka and attempting to curb the flow of information regarding the human rights situation internationally.
“CTC is an organization that fundamentally believes in principles of human rights, openness, transparency and accountability, and operates in conformity with Canadian and international laws.
“Governed by an increasingly authoritarian regime, with a politicized judiciary, Sri Lankaby all measures is a failed state. Critics of the state are slandered by the government, the rule of law is in tatters, and national institutions are firmly under executive control. It is in this context then that the Sri Lankan government has proscribed CTC, as an attempt at sidelining a vocal and effective critics of Sri Lanka’s gross human rights violations and breaches of international law. In addition to being utterly baseless, the proscription, signed by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, also permits the usage of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act by the Sri Lankan government against individuals found to be working for or with any of the proscribed organizations. These actions run in the same vein as consistent attempts by the Sri Lankan government to intimidate, harass and silence the voices of human rights defenders in Sri Lanka, most recently this past month during the session of the Human Rights Council. Furthermore, these measures make impossible any form of meaningful dialogue between all communities and parties affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka,including the Tamil diaspora,and show clearly that theSri Lankan government’s rhetoric on reconciliation is entirely superficial.
“The Canadian Tamil Congress is presently considering all possible actions, including legal remedies that may be taken to respond to this slanderous and malicious decision by the Sri Lankan government. CTC will seek the intervention of the President of the UN Human Rights Council, the Canadian government, and various international non-governmental organizations, many of whom have already voiced their indignation at this proscription. We call upon the Canadian government and the international community to condemn these actions of the Sri Lankan government.
“The Canadian Tamil Congress has long been a fervent critic of the human rights abuses perpetuated by and within the Sri Lankan state. CTC will not allow such fear-mongering tactics to dissuade our organization, and we will continue to work resolutely for the human rights of all Sri Lankans, and to seek truth, justice and peace for Tamils.”
Related stories;
Gota’s Banning Gazette Contains List Of 16 Tamil Diaspora Orgs And 424 Individuals
aratai / April 5, 2014
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When in panic mode, people make stupid mistakes….and Rajapaksa’s are in panic mode.
:-)
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Bedrock Barney / April 5, 2014
Rajapaskse’s don’t give a damn about Rohan Gunaratne or the listed 16. This is to target fundraising for the TNA for the parliamentary election next year. :))) The sad thing is as long as 400 hundred something activists listed listed will never see Sri Lanka ever again. Sad but true.
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Rajash / April 5, 2014
They don’t wan to go to Sri Lanka. They want to step foot on Eelam.
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Bedrock Barney / April 8, 2014
When I was little i wanted to visit the moon.
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Easwaran / April 8, 2014
Bedrock Barney You can still visit the moon technology is there even to go to mars. Book your place now. Try Russia as they are your friendly country, you may be safe with them Best wishes.
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Lanka Liar / April 13, 2014
It looks like you are still little. Lots of people have gone to moon and comeback – don’t you know that
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Nizaamdeen / April 6, 2014
Now Rajapak’s are in a Panic Mode and they have no choice but face the International Investigation against war crimes Mechanism of the UN resolution passed against the Rajapakse Regime for the brutal massacre of over 100,000 innocent Tamil civilians in May 2009 and the demolishing of Muslim mosques and christian churches.
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AVB / April 5, 2014
What non-stupid modes those Rajapakse brothers have?
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Helaya / April 6, 2014
Substance befoe talk
Drunk talk and hard facts
Do we say most Sinhala kings were infact Tamil
(Vijaya onwards, most married Tamil…???…invasion is not the only way….anayway the Vaddhas have been the biggest losers through this invade & civilize concept)
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Mohamed Hassan / April 7, 2014
THE SINHALESE CAME FROM NORTH INDIA AND THE TAMILS CAME FROM SOUTH INDIA. THE YAKSHAS AND THE NAGAS WERE LIVING IN SRI LANKA.THE SINHALESE CANNOT CLAIM THAT SRI LANKA BELONGS TO THE SINHALA BUDDHISTS ONLY.SRI LANKA BELONGS TO THE SINHALESE, TAMILS, MUSLIMS AND THE BURGHERS.THE RAJAPUKKAS SHOULD STOP ALL RACISM AND TREAT ALL ALIKE.
SRI LANKA COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE UN RESOLUTION PASSED AGAINST THEM FOR THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE SECURITY FORCES AGAINST THE INNOCENT TAMIL CIVILIANS IF THEY HAVE IMPLIMENTED THE LLRC RESOLUTION AND SOLVED THE ETHNIC ISSUES.
ACCORDING TO THE UN PANEL OF EXPERTS INVESTIGATION OVER 75,000 TAMILS BEEN BRUTALLY KILLED BY THE SECURITY FORCES.
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Amarasiri / April 7, 2014
Mohamed Hassan,
Only Native Veddah are Native to Lanka. All others are para-desis., or paras. Try to get the facts.
Good that you came closer to the truth now. The seeds were planted by Monk Mahnama Sinhala Buddhist Racism, in 5th Century AD, in the Mahawansa Imaginations. Want to read more? It is a Threat by the Sinhala Monk Mahanama “Buddhist” Racism that is practiced in SRI LANKA.
Deja Vu… have seen it before. 1958, 1983, 2009. Yes, this is a exposure of a Monk Mahanama lie.
ou need to look at one of the BIGGEST SINHALA BUDDIST lies. The Monk Mahanama Imaginations of Mahawansa. Given below is a summary of the real facts. Remember Somarama who killed SWRD. They were ALL Sinhala Mahanama “Buddhist” Racists . “Buddhist” because they are NOT Buddhist. They are racists. So we had a situation where the Paradeshis. the Para-Sinhala killing Para-Tamil based on Mahanama racism. That is NOT True Buddhism.
This is what the True Natives, Native Veddas have to say about the Para- Sinhala and other Paras-, the Paradeshis or foreigners. All the above descriptions support the Sinhala and Tamil as Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamil, like Para-deshi, Foreigners, as far a the Native Veddah are concerned, who walked at least 16,000 years ago when Lanka and India were connected by a land bridge as the sea levels were low.
So, the Sinhala and Tamil Nationalism need to be identified as, Racism, Para-Sinhala Nationalism and Para-Tamil Nationalism. Monk Mahanama imaginations of Mahawansa need to be exposed and discarded. Why? Non- Confirmation bias of Mahawansa. Did Dr. Para-nawithana, the noted Sri Lankan Archaeologist believe the Imaginations of monk Mahanama of 5th Century such as:
a) Grandfather of Para-Vijaya was a lion? Any DNA data in support of this imagination?
b) Buddha visited Lanka three-times in 500 BC? any support for the Imagination.
c) During one visit, Buddha left his giant footprint on top of Mount Samanala Kanda, “Adams Peak”. Did he fly by the Dandu Monera Yanthraya, Giant Bird, and parachute?
d) The Veddah are the offspring of Para-Vijaya and Kuveni. Is there any DNA data to support this? No. Another Monk Mahanama Imagination.
Sri Lanka’s indigenous inhabitants, the Veddas — or Wanniya-laeto (‘forest-dwellers’) as they call themselves — preserve a direct line of descent from the island’s original Neolithic community dating from at least 16,000 BC and probably far earlier according to current scientific opinion.1 Even today, the surviving Wanniya-laeto community retains much of its own distinctive cyclic worldview, prehistoric cultural memory, and time-tested knowledge of their semi-evergreen dry monsoon forest habitat that has enabled their ancestor-revering culture to meet the diverse challenges to their collective identity and survival. Further reference: Here some credible data and reference of the genetic Admixture. The Native Veddah were the original inhabitants of the land, well before the foreigners, the parades-his, came from South India.
http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/6/15923_space.html
The Genetic affinities of Sri Lankan populations – [Reproduced here on a special request made by our LNP friend MURU, this article (web site) was first found by our friend MAGHA.] Friday, 15 June 2007 – 11:25 AM SL Time Genetic affinities of Sri Lankan populations Human Biology, by Kshatriya, Gautam Kumar Genetic Admixture. Table 9 presents the estimated values of admixture for the two hybrid populations (the Sinhalese and the Tamils) based on 13 polymorphic loci, fitting a trihybrid model using the ancestral frequencies shown in Table 10. (Tables 9 and 10 omitted).
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Lanka Liar / April 13, 2014
Very soon Sri Lanka will belong more to the Muslims. That is Lankastan then reasonable use of Sinhalese and practice of Buddhism will have to be permitted. I hope you agree with me.
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Amarasiri / April 6, 2014
Rohan Gunaratna and Other Shills,
“Condemning the Sri Lankan government’s ban on Tamil Diaspora organisations the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) today invites interested parties to review the recent judgment of the Ontario Superior Court,ruling in favour of CTC in a libel case against Sri Lankan-born ‘terrorism expert’ Rohan Gunaratna, who had been quoted as saying, “the LTTE is operating under the name of the Canadian Tamil Congress, which is the main LTTE front organization in Canada.”
Rohan Gunaratna and Other Shills, you all are cannon fodder for the regime, and disposable.
Did you hear about Laksman Hulugalla aka Borugalla?
Rohan Gunaratna, sorry, you are on your own. Now you may change your name to Boruratna, Lying-Gem.
If you are a Terrorism Expert, as you claim, you need yo have your facts . If not, you are just a shill.
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Lanka Liar / April 13, 2014
Liars always panic.
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Fathima Fukushima / April 5, 2014
African?
Stateless people.
FDPs.
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Amarasiri / April 6, 2014
Fatima,
African? Yes. And South Indian as well, like the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils. Check their DNA and it proves that. Only native Veddah belong in “Lanka”. All others are Kalla-Thoni, Hora-Oru and Illegal-boats. Forget the lies pf Monk Mahanama in Maawamsa.
Here is the data.
https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/
Since its launch in 2005, National Geographic’s Genographic Project has used advanced DNA analysis and worked with indigenous communities to help answer fundamental questions about where humans originated and how we came to populate the Earth. Now, cutting-edge technology is enabling us to shine a powerful new light on our collective past. By participating in the latest phase of this real-time scientific project, you can learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. You will also help support the Genographic Legacy Fund, which works to conserve and revitalize indigenous cultures around the world.
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Lanka Liar / April 13, 2014
Africa is not a country. Ok. It is not an ice cream either. Get some help education is important.
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Vikarna / April 5, 2014
CTC deserves what it got. It is made up of a bunch of unscrupulous attention seekers. These self-proclaimed defenders of human rights were – prior to Mullivaikkal – ardent advocates of the oppression of Tamils in the name of Tamil Eelam. Their duplicity should be investigated and exposed.
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Mohanasundaram / April 5, 2014
Totally agreed.
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Native Vedda / April 6, 2014
Vikarna
“These self-proclaimed defenders of human rights were – prior to Mullivaikkal – ardent advocates of the oppression of Tamils in the name of Tamil Eelam”
Could you name and shame them.
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Duplicity / April 6, 2014
Leave the naming and shaming job to Kirubharan of France. Given the exemplary work he has done in branding members of the civil society group through his ‘all over the place’ article written in this very same website I am very convinced he is the right person for launching a witch hunt. In fact he is the modern day mccarthyist.
As for the statement from CTC ““This is a cynical attempt to silence that work. Sri Lanka cannot continue to vilify human rights defenders by resorting to accusations of ‘terrorism’” I would like to remind them that Kirubharan of France did just that days ago calling his opponents as ‘stooges’. LTTE considered those who chose to dissent as ‘traitors’ and done away with them. GOSL brands all those who oppose it as either ‘terrorists’, ‘terrorist sympathisers’ or ‘anti-SL’ and ban them, get rid of them and/or jail them under phony charges (as they did to SF and others regardless of their ethnicity). You my fellow diaspora, post May 2009, brand those who dissent or demand more tougher Human rights regime or more civil and political rights as ‘stooges’ as long as they do not fit your agenda. You are all many sides of the same coin. So it is better you sue each other and make the lawyers very rich!!!.
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David / April 5, 2014
The proof that Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) personnel engaged in procurement, fundraising and propaganda is undeniable. For example, the former CTC Director of Communications Sahilal Sabaratnam is serving a 25 year sentence in the US for weapons procurement.
The financial guy of the operation Sahilal was arrested on Long Island in August 2006 after they tried to purchase and export ten SA-18 heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles and launchers, 500 AK-47s, and other military equipment. The investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force revealed CTC was the premier front for fundraising and propaganda. Gunaratna is correct and should counter sue CTC!
See proof
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/07/bell/
http://www.immigrationwatchcanada.org/2009/04/07/rcmp-targets-tamil-funding/
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Jayantha / April 5, 2014
Isn’t this Mahinda Rajapakse Joker who first paid LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran 800 million Rupees, and asking him to not allow Nothern Tamil people to vote in 2005 Presidential elections……
Here’s proof in the internet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DnyMAvNr6A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSZO8OZb9us
Therefore how come this Joker ban TGF now.
He should be investigated by International Criminal court for Bribing VP and Money Laundering.
What a set of Clowns ruling our country…..Joker’s paradise.
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Sundar / April 6, 2014
Jeyantha, also refer to wikileaks materials on the very topic. It has a lot of Emil Kanthan, Tiern Alles, Managala etc. Also search for late Lasantha’s investigative work with the very same topic.
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NAK / April 6, 2014
You call that proof!
These two Man-gala and Ti-ran try to be babies who doesn’t know any thing.
Tiran, according to himself,didn’t know who Emil is, he was introduced by Mangala who was the minster of aviation and Emil worked for him.So why not reveal how Mangala knew Emil.It may be that a link may have been sought to talk, but just to hand 180 Mn to a man who was introduced by a third party,with out any assurances, what,Alles think we are stupid?
In any case how could any one trust VP to keep his promise to pay that kind of dough!
Then regarding preparation for war,
He was strengthening and preparing the army and was only biding his time until the army was ready but Maavil aaru came sooner than expected.
He showed to the world that he wished settlement without going to war and VP interpreted that as a weakness.
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Saman / April 13, 2014
NAK,
You say…..”He showed to the world that he wished settlement without going to war and VP interpreted that as a weakness”.
Yes what VP thought above is now carried out by Rajapakses who think they could out do UN.
What a Joke. Get ready to eat Hambanthota “MEE KIRI” Kurd with Jaffna “Thala Honey” Palmyra honey.
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David / April 5, 2014
Soon after the military defeat of the ruthless blood thirsty LTTE terrorist organization by the Sri Lankan Security Forces, LTTE terrorist fronts shifted from military strategy and put on the trappings of a democratic and political approach. Thus, they formed the so called Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) to whitewash the crimes they committed against humanity and survive on the foreign soil.
The prime aim of this falsely claimed TGTE is to lobby foreign governments and politicians for the establishment of a separate state in the North and East of Sri Lanka and to unleash the same terror they know, once again on the innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. The TGTE established its offices in western countries where the pro-LTTE Tamil expatriates are found in significant numbers, and some of them who earlier played an active role in the LTTE’s international arena now function through such offices, holding dubious office.
V Rudrakumaran a Tamil Tiger terrorist is a US citizen and a long time Legal Advisor to the LTTE terrorist leader V Prabhakaran. The appointment of a 14 member committee by Rudrakumaran seemed completely arbitrary. It consists of prominent pro-LTTE activists as an advisory group to study the TGTE concept. In May 2010, 135 members were elected to the TGTE via an online election. The Tamil “Diaspora” did not respond positively to the TGTE election since more than 85% of “Diaspora” Tamils refrained from voting. However, TGTE has held three sessions in USA in May 2010, September 2010 and February 2011, and subsequently Rudrakumaran and 22 others were appointed as so called “Prime Minister” and “Ministers” of the TGTE respectively.
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Ben Hurling / April 5, 2014
Wow!
I guess CTC is as innocent as Vienna Boys Choir.
GOSL please send documentation of their involvement as kindly provided by Castro, Pottu Amman & KP et al to Harper.
Cheers!
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Nalla Thambi / April 5, 2014
Sri lankan President & the World Leaders watched these Tamils Organisations & NGO’s nearly 4 years. They were not care of well been in Northern Sri lankan Tamils. They did not help or spend a 1 $ for liberated Tamils in Sri lanka. But now they joint with TNA and Separatisms are their goal in Sri lanka. These Diaspora Tamils had spend Millions of $ & Euros to buy weapons for LTTE-Prabakaran & company to terrorist innocent life’s in Sri lanka. Since 2009 terrorising project was over. And now they have enough money to spend NGO’s and so call Tamil organizations to buying & Lobbying foreign Politicians, TV like Channel 4, and so called Human right Organisations. This time Sri lankan Government made a very correct decision to ban these terrorist Tamils organisations.
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The Professional / April 5, 2014
Nallam Thambi!
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Mohamed Naufer / April 6, 2014
“O” Gotha have you gone insane (Pissu)because of the decision of the UN voting in favour to investigate the brutal killing of over 75,000 innocent Tamil civilians in Mullivaikkal in the Mullaitivu District of Sri Lanka using banned chemical weapons.
I strongly advise you to get a good Physichological help before the International Investigation begins by th UN.
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AVB / April 5, 2014
I guess what exiled Tamils should do is declare (publicized) ban of international travel to Rajapakse Clan. Nobody has to do anything other than publicizing it.. This is just to give psychological pain to members of Rajapakse clan when they travel oversees to spend their stolen money. Ban should extend up to thieves like Sajin Vas, Duminda, Raja sons..
When Gota and MR play like children, I guess Tamil and Sinhalese citizens should reprobate in a similar way…
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Lasantha / April 5, 2014
AVB,
I have to agree with AVB. Yes both Sri Lankans and the International community should help Rajapakse Nade taking plane loads of party members on world fun tours wasting Tax payer money.
Recently another fun tour to Thailand and China by Western Province counsil members was stopped at the last moment after JVP Objected.
Last PC election sent a red line to Rajapakses.
No wonder Sri Lankan Airline loosing 6 Billion Rupees.
Ban all politicians Travelling abroad. They were selected to serve people and not themselves and their families.
Ban all Politicians foreign Fun tours, those who use fake official business meetings.
Also need to audit Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry’s Foreign Travel expenses after UNHRC Debacle.
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