International community has failed Tamils in Sri Lanka
The Canadian Tamil Congress is urging Canadian parliamentarians to take immediate and strong actions against Sri Lanka to prevent a civilian bloodbath. The United Nations estimates that over 6500 civilians have been killed, and 14,000 injured over the past three months.
The Canadian Tamil Congress
“So far there have been only statements issued by the most powerful bodies in the world, the UN, the EU, the G8, and Western government, but there has been no follow through in terms of action,” said David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress. “The international community has failed the Tamils in Sri Lanka by not fulfilling its obligation to protect civilians caught in this armed conflict.”
On Sunday, April 26, 2009, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) announced that it would heed the calls by Canada, the UN, the G8, the European Union, the USA, India, and other Western governments and unilaterally announced an immediate ceasefire. The LTTE has suspended offensive military operations effective immediately. Unfortunately, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has rejected the ceasefire offer and is determined to pursue its military assault to kill tens of thousands of innocent civilians under the pretext of “wiping out the Tigers”.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada, Dr. Sri Ranjan, President of the Canadian Tamil Congress stated, “Tamil Canadians are fearful that in the next 24 to 48 hours a civilian bloodbath will ensue if the GoSL does not reciprocate the LTTE’s offer to a ceasefire.” Calling for immediate and strong action by the Canadian government Dr. Sri Ranjan stated, “Canada must force the GoSL to reciprocate the immediate ceasefire by cutting all diplomatic and economic relations with Sri Lanka.”
The Canadian Tamil Congress calls upon Canadian parliamentarians to step up to the plate and take action on the Sri Lankan conflict immediately. Sri Lanka must be economically and politically isolated in order to compel the GoSL to negotiate a political resolution to the armed conflict that respects the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people.
For further information: Canadian Tamil Congress, (416) 240-0078
The Canadian Tamil Congress
