Tamil Canadians and the Human Rights Watch Report
March 25th, 2006
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The largest concentration of Sri Lankan Tamils outside Sri Lanka is in Canada. More than 250,000 Tamils live in Canada now. Of these more than 200,000 Tamils are in the Greater Toronto area. Toronto is the largest “Sri Lankan Tamil” City in the Global Tamil Diaspora. The Tamil population here is larger than those in North - Eastern cities and towns like Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Trincomalee etc.
It was predictable therefore that
the Human Rights Watch report released on March 15th caused great waves within the Tamil community of Greater Toronto.The 45-page report authored by HRW Advocacy director of Chldren’s rights Jo Becker dealt with fund raising for the LTTE and was titled , “Funding the “Final War:” LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil Diaspora”.The report focussed on London in Britain and Toronto in Canada. The Tamil Diaspora in these two Countries amount to nearly half of the total number of Tamils living in the West.
The reaction among Canadian Tamils was manifold. Though the LTTE and its minions try to project an impression that the community is 100% behind the LTTE the truth is different. About 15to 20% are hard core tiger supporters while another 10 to 15% are firmly opposed to the LTTE. The rest are of many mindsets. Most feel strongly as Tamils but differ in their degrees of support or opposition to the LTTE. Many do not support the tigers on every issue but generally support the Tamil cause and feel that they are necessary to combat the Sinhala state. Others disapporove of tiger actions but are equally or more opposed to Sinhala racist ideology. Some have “Canadianised” strongly and are just not bothered about anything concerning the “ole” country.
So when the HRW report was released the various strands in the community reacted differently. This response was of two kinds. One was openly articulated and public while the other larger response was among the people themselves and kept private. This column has repeatedly referred to a vociferous pro - tiger minority hogging the megaphone and posing off as the sole voice of the Tamils within the Canadian Tamil Diaspora. This phenomenon was once again present.
An organization calling itself the Canadian Tamil Congress issued a stinging press release. Earlier there was an outfit claiming to represent Canadian Tamils that called itself the FACT. (Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils). This outfit was clearly identified by the USA and Canadian authorities as a tiger front. Thereafter the FACT went out of circulation and in its place there arose the CTC. In keeping with typical LTTE style the CTC accused the HRW and Jo Becker of bias and pooh poohed the report.
The CTC also held a press conference that was attended largely by Tamil “community representatives”. In fact the 70 to 80 Tamil “community leaders” vastly outnumbered the genuine media representatives present. Significantly enough the much maligned HRW sent a representative as an “observer” to the press conference but was refused admission. The press conference was used by many speakers to attack the HRW and Ms. Becker personally evoking cheers and applause from the “packed” audience.
What was astounding about the tiger and pro - tiger response to the HRW report was the brazen attempt to deny the whole thing. Every member of the Tamil Diaspora knows that fund raising goes on. Many Tamils do give money willingly to the LTTE. Some are “pressured” to give more. Others are coerced into giving. While some Tamils have never been asked for money almost everyone knows of at least a few instances of money being collected and the intimidation involved.
A rational response by the tiger and pro - tiger elements could have been to “admit” to a little bit of fund raising going on but deny that it was widespread. They could also have said that the money was raised for humanitarian purposes and not to fund the LTTE war chest. On the question of intimidation they could have denied it and said action would be taken against anyone found guilty if evidence was presented.
Given the fact that fund raising along with some force and intimidation in some instances does exist within the community attempting to deny the obvious was like the Tamil saying about trying to conceal a whole pumpkin in a plantain leaf of rice. Yet this exactly was what the pro - tiger sections tried to do.Instead of being on the defensive and engaging in intelligent damage control the tiger minions went on the offensive and took on the HRW and Ms. Jo Becker crudely and rudely.
This flagrant attempt to deny the obvious , discredit the HRW and distort reality did not go down well with many members of the Tamil “Silent Majority”. What was mostly resented was the pro - tiger elements trying to interprete the HRW report as affecting the entire community. It was not. The HRW report affected only those supporters and workers of the LTTE engaged in fund raising. It did not affect the community at large in any way. In fact the report brought to light the pathetic predicament faced by Tamil Canadians at the hands of some of their “imagined” kinsfolk. Many Tamils found their non - Tamil colleagues being sympathetic and considerate towards their plight after details of the HRW report became known.
It was apparent that the LTTE and its minions were in a state of “disconnect” with the bulk of Tamil Canadians. Most Tamils were a little upset but not unduly troubled by the HRW report . The uppermost thought in their minds was that this publicity could make the tiger cohorts go “slow” or go “soft” in their fund raising.
[Prime Minsiter Paul Martin visiting Markham’s Cedarwood Public School, in the aftermath of 2004 tsunami, where about two-thirds of the student body is Sri Lankan - CP]
While most Tamils do feel strongly about the Tamil plight and recognize the need for fund raising they resent the heavy handed, rough methods of the fund raisers. Many are sympathetic towards the “boys and girls” bearing arms for the Tamils but hate these parasitical fund raisers.
Adding fuel to this resentment is the fact that many Canadian Tamils are suspicious about the bona fides of some of these LTTE fund raisers. They are also uncertain as to how much exactly is actually going to the LTTE in Sri Lanka. It is an open secret that many Tamil businesses are funded by the local LTTE. Tiger acolytes also engage in direct wholesale business using money collected from the people. In order to corner the market and drive out competition a large amount of money is used to undercut others. This “subsidy” is from the people’s donations.
Several tiger fund raisers have been given houses, cars and even paid salaries out of money collected here. There is also much corruption and several operatives without any overt source of income are living iit off grandly. Some top tiger operatives have often been “fired” on charges of graft by the movement.Also some senior fund raisers are given 10 to 20% commission of money collected as an incentive. There is no accountability.
So the ordinary people remained unruffled even as the tiger operatives careered around like headless chickens. Though the LTTE was trying to make out that a great calamity had befallen Canadian Tamils most members of the community were privately happy that those professing to represent the LTTE in Toronto had been given a jolt. There was also hope that the tigers would be careful at least in the future not to harass or intimidate Tamils. Many people were prepared to donate to the cause but resented the intimidation and corruption.
One of the most comical responses came from LTTE political Commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan who denied fund raising abroad. Funny if the LTTE does not get money from the Diaspora where then does it get its money? Furthermore Thamilselvan charged the HRW of not approaching them to get the LTTE side of the story. LTTE political affairs committee member and self - styled Toronto Tamil spkesperson Nehru Gunaratnam also lamented to the media that community leaders had not been interviewed and only alleged victims had been interviewed.Does the LTTE expect the HRW to interview them about the victims and not the victims themselves?
[Ms.Jo Becker, at a Toronto presentation of report titled “Living In Fear: Child Soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka”, in December 2004 - Pic by Tamil Canadian]
In any case Thamilselvan was not correct in saying the HRW had not contacted the LTTE. According to HRW circles the researcher /writer Ms. Jo Becker had sent more than one e - mail to Prabakharan alias Pulidevan the head of the LTTE peace sscretariat requesting a LTTE reponse to some questions . These were ignored. She had also contacted Santhan the head of the British Tamil association in London.The BTA is the British Pro - tiger organization. He had declined to be interviewed. He also refused to arrange for a meeting with LTTE ideologue Mr. Anton Balasingham.
In Canada Mr. Sittampalam president of the World Tamil Movement was interviewed. The WTM like the FACT is an accredited front organization of the LTTE. Mr. Sittampalam denied that the LTTE was active in Canada or that money was being raised on its behalf. Mr. Sittampalams response was duly recorded in the HRW report with a commentary note that testimonies from the Tamil community dispute this assertion.
Thus it could be seen that the HRW did make an effort to get the LTTE version of events too. Mr. Thamilselvan is not telling the truth when he says the tigers were not contacted by the HRW. The LTTE by ignoring the HRW has by default lost a good opportunity to present their side of the picture.Likewise Mr. Nehru Gunaratnam is also wrong in saying that the so called community leaders were not interviewed because the WTM president was interviewed. Perhaps Mr. Gunaratnam does not regard Mr. Sittampalam as a Tamil community leader.
One of the biggest challenges posed by the HRW to the LTTE was the ready availability of its report in Tamil. In 2004 December when the report on Child Soldiers in the LTTE was released the HRW made it available in Tamil. This was the case now also. The full report was available on the net and also hard copy. Though the LTTE media took great pains to criticise and condemn the report without publicising its contents to the Tamil people many went direct to the web and downloaded it. Copies were made and distributed.Other community activists also distributed copies to those who needed it.
Thus most people in the Tamil Canadian community who wanted to read the report had obtained a copy by the end of the week. With the LTTE media thundering against the report many people were eager to read it themselves. The HRW report was perhaps the most widely read “document” among Canadian Tamils in recent times that was critical of the LTTE. Many recognized in the report’s anecdotal evidence , similiar experiences they personally underwent themselves at the hands of fund collectors . Soon people were talking excitedly about the hated tiger fund raisers being exposed. Some said” if they (HRW) had contacted me I would have told them more”.
Once again the “disconnect” between the LTTE activists and ordinary Tamil people became blatantly visible. While the people were appreciating and endorsing contents of the report among themselves the tiger minions were ranting and railing against the HRW and denying that fund raising was going on. The fact that the “silent majority” confirming the HRW report could not come forward openly speaks volumes about the “terror ” inflicted upon the community. The HRW report itself explains this clearly. Yet the LTTE too was unable to get any prominent “Non - Tiger” Tamils to speak out against the HRW. Many engaging in the orchestrated anti - HRW campaign are recognized tiger sympathisers and supporters.
With some critics raising questions about the HRW methodology and credentials of Ms. Jo Becker the HRW came out with a press release clarifying those matters. It also highlighted some provisions already mentioned in the report but conveniently ignored by the tiger elements. This statement was depicted as a HRW admission of guilt. The HRW was “backtracking” the LTTE gloated. This was simply not true and served to illustrate the depths to which the tiger acolytes can sink in maligning their perceived opponents. The HRW continues to stand by its report and has not backtracked at all.
The HRW also opened up space on its website for comments and suggestions about the report. Instead of utilising an opportunity to express legitimate , constructive criticism about the report an orchestrated campaign was once again underfoot to malign and slander the HRW and Ms. Becker. But very soon the non - tigers and anti - tigers jumped in to the fray.
It was thereafter a verbal free for all. The report and its contents were forgotten. Totally irrelevant issues were raised. Foul language was used. Charges and counter charges prevailed. It was another missed opportunity for tiger supporters to convey their views effectively. One thing however was clear. The tigers and their supporters have lost the monopoly they once had over cyberspace.The HRW comments section also illustrated the fact that the community had lost its ability to conduct an intelligent, coherent, civil discussion on crucial issues.
The LTTE also launched a massive letter writing cum e - mail signature campaign against the HRW. “model” letters were drafted and copied to be sent to HRW. Though LTTE organs have boasted about 20,000 plus letters being sent the actual number barely exceeded three digits at first. Later the LTTE was forced to take special steps to send letters in bulk. One reason for people being reluctant to petition the HRW was because they knew that the otganization was telling the truth. Also people did not believe the tiger allegation that the HRW had mala fide motives in compiling the report.
While the LTTE smirked in myopic satisfaction about the HRW backtracking it would be pertinent to see what impact the report has had on Canadian mainstream media. Given the prestige enjoyed by the HRW in North America the report was given much publicity. Apart from the wire services reports the CBC radio and main newspapers also gave much coverage. The CBC devoted time to the report in its “Metro Morning” “Current” and “Ontario Today” programs. Ms. Jo Becker and CTC spokesperson David Poopalapillai were interviewed. So too were some Tamil residents including this columnist.
Newspapers like the “Globe and Mail” “Toronto Star” and “National Post” also gave coverage. Editorials were written urging the authorities to ban the LTTE in Canada. The “rightist” National Post urging a ban was nothing new as it has done so in the past. But the bitter lesson for the LTTE was the role of “Toronto Star” Canadas largest circulated newspaper. The Star is a liberal pro - immigrant, pro - minority journal. Yet that paper urged a ban. It also focussed on this fund raising even before the HRW report and had a centre spread article. While giving space to the pro - LTTE rebuttals the “Star” also gave prominence to a little known non - tiger group that welcomed the report.
In its editorial of March 16th the “Star” had a sly dig at those in the community saying that there was no tiger activity in Canada. If that was the case then banning the tigers need not make anyone object the “star” suggested tongue in cheek. If the LTTE acolytes in Canada had any sense they should take serious note of the “Star” leader. The fact that such a reputed liberal newspaper could urge a ban demonstrates how low LTTE stock is with the Canadian mainstream. The writing may be on the wall for the LTTE in Canada if the “Star” response is an indicator.
The security certificate issued against former WTM administrator Suresh Manickavasagam in 1995 cited him as a LTTE fund raiser. That order issued under sec 40 of the Immigration Act was signed by the then Immigration Minister Sergio Marchi and Solicitor - General Herb Gray. It was subsequently upheld by Federal Court Judge Max Teitelbaum. This was a clear instance where the Canadian executive and Judiciary regarded the LTTE as “terrorist” and fund raising as an offence.
After the Sep 11th 2001 twin tower bombings the UN suppression of terrorism act was passed in Canada too. Under this act financing of terrorism was expressly forbidden. The LTTE was listed under this law and funding the tigers was made illegal. Canada also passed a rigid anti - terrorist law called the Anti - Terrorism Act or C - 36.
More than 30 foreign organizations were banned under that law but not the LTTE. Though security agencies had recommended a ban it was put on hold. It was reported then that the former Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham had persuaded his cabinet colleagues not to ban the LTTE as the organization was engaged in a peace process and that a ban may affect it.
This was under a Liberal party Government. Now the Conservatives are in power. Two present Cabinet ministers have while in the opposition called for a ban on the LTTE . They are Peter MacKay the Foreign Affairs Minister and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.
Interestingly enough these are the two ministers who would have a key role to play in determining which organizations are to be banned under the terrorism act. Mr. Day was foreign affairs critic when in the opposition and consistently called for a LTTE ban.Mr. MacKay called for a ban during the Parliamentary polls campaign but “muted” his views because of pressure from Toronto region candidates.
[L-R] Liberal Candidates Roy Cullen, John Cannis and Jim Karigiannis at a CTC organized debate in Jan 2006 - Photo TamilNet]
Since there is a substantial Tamil voting bloc in about ten to twelve ridings or electorates Conservative candidates including one of Sri Lankan origin did not want to upset the LTTE. This was under the mistaken impression that the LTTE controls Tamil voters in Canada. Once again the vociferous minority hogging the Tamil megaphone had created that illusion. In actual terms this was not true. Except for some hard core tiger supporters most Tamil voters decided independently. These decisions were based on a number of issues affecting them as “Canadians” and not on a single “Tamil” based issue.
The LTTE elements who had been backing the Liberals in the past few elections switched sides this time and expressed support for the Conservatives. This was due to two reasons. One was the realisation that the Liberals were on the decline and that the Conservatives were the favourites. So they jumped aboard the bandwagon.
[Vincent Veerasuntharam, Conservative Party candidate in Scarborough Southwest in Federal Election 2006, paying tribute to Tsunami Victims at a Vigil held in Scarborough Town Centre on Dec 26, 2005]
The second was to influence the Conservatives and prevent harsh action against the LTTE. The electoral verdict however showed that the Greater Toronto region remained Liberal or New Democratic . The Conservatives did not fare well here because of the new immigrant, visible minority vote.
It remains to be seen therefore what the Conservative Government will do. Some weeks ago Mr. Day was asked about this at a press conference and he replied that the matter was being looked into. This was before the HRW report. The situation is different now.
What the report has done is to inform mainstream Canada about the activities of the LTTE and about how a segment of Canada’s population is being victimised by a group claiming to represent them. The issue is about a section of Canada’s population being under “attack” in Canada. This is an assault on the freedom , rights and core values of Canada.
In a sense the issue has moved beyonde the realm of foreign policy. What is at stake here is the violation of the law and basic tenets of human rights. This is now a Canadian issue. The hardhitting Editorial by a liberal newspaper like “The Toronto Star” is an index of how progressive mainstream opinion views the problem. If the LTTE wants to stave off a future ban it needs to undertake a massive damage control exercise.
Unfortunately those who claim to support the LTTE have shown themselves incapable of gauging or meeting the challenge. They have only been able to engage in predictable antics. Accusing the HRW of ulterior motives and colluding with Colombo, denigrating the integrity and efficiency of Jo Becker, Denying that fund raising takes place, attacking people suspected of providing information as anti - tiger or mercenaries, derisively mocking their perceived critics etc. is what they are doing now.These cheap puerile tactics may win them applause among tiger supporters but will not help their cause in any way.
The LTTE has also commenced its usual intimidatory tactics. Many people suspected of helping the HRW are being attacked in their media. Threatening telephone calls are also being made. This columnist too is at the receiving end. Though I was not involved with the HRW report and references to me in the report were taken by the HRW from an open letter I wrote in 1996 the tiger media has started vilifying me. The usual anonymous calls are also on. If this “intimidation” was intended to make me back off it has been counterproductive.
What these elements failed to comprehend was that I had no connection to the report and I had planned initially to remain aloof from commenting about it. I revised my decision and started writing extensively for three reasons. One was the vilification campaign and threats like the challenge issued by the LTTE website “Nitharsanam” that it would slander and defame me if I wrote anything.
Secondly was my disgust at the conduct of some Canadian Tamils denying the fund raising itself and defending the indefensible. Thirdly I was angered by the attacks launched on Ms. Jo Becker and the HRW for having written a truthful report and felt they should be supported publicly. As long as the LTTE launches vituperative attacks I would continue espousing this HRW report.
The LTTE is yet to learn that “Bullying” does not always pay. In December 2004 the HRW released a report on Child Soldiers. A meeting was held at the Scarborough Civic Centre. A gang of pro - tiger hooligans invaded the place and constantly heckled Jo Becker. Even former Ontario premier Bob Rae was prevented from addressing the meeting for a long time. An enraged Rae exclaimed that in his 25 years of public life he had never undergone such an experience.
[Bob Rae Chair and President of Forum of Federations, met S.P. Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi in August 2004]”
But did the LTTE supporters gain anything by this show of force? Instead of being cowed into silence the very same Jo Becker has come out with another HRW report. Still the LTTE supporters continue with their intimidatory tactics. This has resulted in many people coming forward with their experiences and the truth. For the first time perhaps four Tamil persons in Toronto were bold enough to sign an open letter with their real names criticising the LTTE and endorsing the report. More than one person was emboldened to speak out feely to the media.
Realistically however one cannot see the fund raising end unless and until a satisfactory political settlement is reached in Sri Lanka. Those committed tiger supporters as well as Tamils yearning for an end to the oppression of the Sinhala state would keep on giving money for the Tamil cause. This is understandable.
The problem however is in adopting coercive tactics to make people give more or to make those unwilling give.If tiger agents desist from intimidating the unwilling and harassing the incapable and rely only on their diehard supporters for money then there would not be any major problem.
The Tamils who took up refuge in Canada should not be victimised by an organization claiming to represent them.They are now Canadian citizens and bound by the laws of their adopted Country. The Canadian state should extend every protection to its citizens and this includes the Tamil Canadians too.
Entry Filed under: crossCurrents
34 Comments Add your own
1. S.Sivapragasam -Scarborough | March 25th, 2006 at 3:30 am
Thank You Mr. Jeyaraj for a bold,illuminating article. You have expressed what was in our thoughts brilliantly. We sincerely hope you will continue to write about the troubles faced by Tamils at the hands of fellow Tamils truthfully and clearly.May Lord Murugan protect you and bless you
2. Thurai.Ramesh - Hamilton | March 25th, 2006 at 3:38 am
DBS has written the truth in article that tells about how Tamil people in Canada really feel about Human Rights Watch report. But he fails to mention one important thing. Many Canadian MP;s and MPP;s and Municipal councilors climb on LTTE stage and praise tigers for Tamil votes. But now they are all not seen anywhere. why not they talk out loudly about report and try to say that tigers dont fund raise here. Why they are keeping silent on this. Is reason for this due to knowing that money is really collected from Tamil people? Please reply and tell us Canada political people!
3. Saarumathi Suppiah | March 25th, 2006 at 8:44 am
You missed an ‘important’ point! Of those more than 250,000 people in Canada, not a single person has come out and complained to police about any ‘intimidation or extortion’!!! Does it say anything? Some may never get it!
4. Packianathan | March 25th, 2006 at 9:06 am
“The problem is in adopting coersive tactics to make people give more or to make those unwilling to give” - These tamil canadians who are willing to turn a blind eye towads their bretheren suffering under the jackboot of Sinhala State Terrorism are heartless, and have to be persuaded. Apologists on their behalf - who preach to the Terrorist State but do nothing else - are sanctimonious hypocrites.
5. Kumar | March 25th, 2006 at 11:29 am
A simple fact contradictory is that if LTTE has no influence, why Canadian political party tries to praise tigers to get support Tamils. If you don’t understand the basic fact that Tamils overwhelmingly DO support LTTE, there is no truth in the rest of the arguments.
6. K.Nada - Scarborough | March 25th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
I dont think article is telling that Tamils not supporting LTTE. It clearly says that. But all people not support LTTE. They allso dont like way money is collected and also dont like the way tiger supporters in Canada behave.Dont misunderstand article and try making us also misunderstand article please Mr. Kumar
7. K.Nada - Scarborough | March 25th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Why try and twist what Mr. Rhurai Ramesh said Mr. Kumar? I thought DBS maked that point clear in article. Look at this paragraph -
“Since there is a substantial Tamil voting bloc in about ten to twelve ridings or electorates Conservative candidates including one of Sri Lankan origin did not want to upset the LTTE. This was under the mistaken impression that the LTTE controls Tamil voters in Canada. Once again the vociferous minority hogging the Tamil megaphone had created that illusion. In actual terms this was not true. Except for some hard core tiger supporters most Tamil voters decided independently. “These decisions were based on a number of issues affecting them as “Canadians” and not on a single “Tamil” based issue.”
The article always says that people give willingly to LTTE too. But trouble comes only when money collectors force people to give more money or make people not wanting to give donate money.
“Realistically however one cannot see the fund raising end unless and until a satisfactory political settlement is reached in Sri Lanka. Those committed tiger supporters as well as Tamils yearning for an end to the oppression of the Sinhala state would keep on giving money for the Tamil cause. This is understandable.
The problem however is in adopting coercive tactics to make people give more or to make those unwilling give.If tiger agents desist from intimidating the unwilling and harassing the incapable and rely only on their diehard supporters for money then there would not be any major problem.”
But really where are the politicians? why are they not denying that LTTE dont collect money in Canada?
8. ARUMUGAM | March 25th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Extortion and Intimidation of Canadians Tamils is a Canadian Problem.
As Canadian Tamils, we welcome the recent report by Human Rights Watch, Funding the ‘Final War’: LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil Diaspora, which documents the persistent and systematic extortion and intimidation of the Tamil community by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The report is accurate, and its findings resonate with the ground realities of Tamils in Toronto, whose fundamental rights of free expression and association are daily suppressed through the intimidation, violence, and climate of fear instigated by the LTTE and its front organizations in Toronto.
Multiculturalism in Canada is compromised not when the LTTE and its front organizations are criticized, but when the rights and dignities of all Canadians are not vigilantly protected and promoted by the Canadian authorities. These rights and dignities have consistently come under threat by the LTTE’s claim of being the “sole representative” of the Tamils. Armed with this undemocratic claim the LTTE has carried out political killings, disrupted elections and destroyed civil society among the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. The LTTE and its supporters use similar means to silence the Tamil public sphere in Canada and have created a climate of fear so that they effectively control the Tamil community. To denounce the LTTE and its henchmen, therefore, is not to be anti-Tamil. Rather, it is to stand in solidarity with Canadian Tamils who are victims of harassment, intimidation, and extortion by the LTTE. Furthermore, unless such violence and the culture of fear and intimidation is challenged, Canadian Tamils will not be able to contribute in any meaningful way to peace and democracy in Sri Lanka.
Tamils suffered persecution and violence in Sri Lanka and we fled to Canada to live in peace and dignity. We did not come here to be afraid of opening the door. The LTTE’s presence in Canada, and the systematic intimidation and violence this engenders among its Tamil community, attacks core Canadian values and commitments, and is an affront to all Canadians.
For Canadian Democratic League
1. Anton Mariyampillai
2. Pon. Shanmugalingam
3. Kulaindaivelu Mahendran
4. Lenn Benedict
16 March 2006
9. R. Maiyooran | March 25th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Hey guys! Are you trying to say that nobody collects money on behalf of LTTE in Canada?
10. Arasi - Markham | March 25th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
If nobody is collecting money for LTTE in Canada then Why cant the Tigers issue a straight forward statement saying they are not collecting any money here? The World Tamil Movement can issue a statement of expenses and explain where they get their money from.
11. RS, New Market | March 25th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Dear Mr. Jeyaraj. I Thank you for this write up. “The ones who see things differently: They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things. They push the human race forward.” - Steve Jobs CEO/Founder - Apple Computer
12. Anthony | March 25th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Hey Guys, It is absolutely true, Ltte is collecting money, some people like to donate but some people doesn’t want to donate.According to my knowledge they giving hard time and giving more pressure. it is not right. They trying control Tamils In Canada. It’s Impossible.
13. S.Sinnadurai | March 25th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
The facts given by the writer is 100% correct. I am one of the earliest Srilankan to migrate to Canada. LTTE is collecting money by visiting houses on an ongoing basis and not only that they say that if the individual did not contribute they cannot visit Jaffna. Who are these pople to dictate terms to us.The writer has given in black and white the facts and about the individuals their life style. I strongly vouch that the Canadian Government should ban them. LTTE visited my house in Scarbrough and when my wife gave her idendity they left the house as one of her family member was assissinated by these so called organisation claiming that they are fighting for the Tamils.
Sanna.
14. bala | March 25th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Dear DBS,
Meditate on this:
“One must speak always the truth. Truth must not be spoken always.”
Democracy, human rights, individual freedom, all these take back seat when it comes to a community’s right to exist with full dignity in its own land.
This is what most Tamils are trying to do.
15. Al Seneviratne | March 25th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
To the creditibility of HRW the report is crytal clear. What amaze me is the very Conservatove Party who completely promised to Ban the LTTE as a Terrorist Oranization’s silence shows they are supporting the very same group they once condemned for political gain.
The cruel and wicked tactics they practiced over in Sri Lanka must be buried in the Lake Ontario and not flood them here. Perhaps this LTTEs may be concerned environmalists not to polute the Lake which is three time bigger than the Country now they are attacking.
Al Sen.
16. Baskaran | March 25th, 2006 at 9:17 pm
I think some people think this issue in terms of SriLanka & Eelam , Tamil etc. The writer says clearly this is a “Canadian” issue. HRW may be biased but we “let it happen”
17. Kamal | March 25th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Bala, This is exactly what happened in North East: “One must speak always the truth. Truth must not be spoken always.” But please keep in mind we are in Canada…this may not be allowed to happen, and many of us dont wont to happen and end up like what the North-East is today.
18. Upul Silva | March 25th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
There are human rights to be upheld and human qualities to be cherished.
My salute to all you Tamils who speak the truth.
Please choose wisely between “One must speak always the truth. Truth must not be spoken always.”
19. Rajah | March 25th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Keep it up DBS. I read your articles always. Once again you brought the facts. I am worried that this report will not reach many tamils in canada as they are not used to. Please give more publicity so that this report can reach all tamils in canada. Two guys came to my house and talked rudely to suppport and I refused. this happend last week, that is after the publication of HRW report.
thanks and God bless you.
20. Alex | March 26th, 2006 at 12:42 am
Yes, I live in the Tamil Diaspora. And I was the subject of extortion. The WTM members (3 people) came to my door on last November and asked for C$ 2500.00 and when they came they brought a video cassette and told me this fund for the final war. I refused to give the money and told them because of the war only we came here, now what ever we can we are helping to our relatives and charities like orphanage centers. For that they said we have to give all through them and like threatening they said, you have to visit your relatives in Sri Lanka and said that they know our back home address. For that I told them, “what ever you do do it, this is Canada further if you want to talk give me your identification” When I asked the identification one of them showed a WTM identicard and other one showed a TRO identicard. I told them, “I asked the one of Canadian identification” When I asked that they left.
HRW report is absolutory true, there is a new “aggressive and systematic fundraising drive” was launched by the ruthless regime LTTE’s World Tamil Movement (WTM) in late 2005 and still they are going door to door in Canada.
Here most of the Tamils living Canada were being intimidated into giving the money to LTTE/ WTM. Because the culture of fear is so strong and when they come to our doors they threaten us violence against our family members in Sri Lanka, that even Tamils who don’t support them still feel they have no choice but to give money.
And the other reason Tamils giving the money most of us or our relatives had suffered human rights violations at the hands of the Sri Lankan military and the Sri Lankan government and those who affected actively supported the LTTE. The Sinhalese dominated government and the politicians have to realize this.
In Premadasa period he helped to the LTTE to kill other Tamil freedom group members (LTTE ambushed People Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam - PLOTE camps with the help of the Sri Lankan Military and Sri Lankan Air force help) and to fight with the Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF. That time Premadasa and the LTTE need to send back the IPKF from Sri Lanka and need to destroy the well trained energetically PLOTE cadres camps, then Ranil opened the Tiger from the Vanni jungle cage and invite them into the country to kill the Tamil humans, after that Chandrika clear the Sea Tiger path to kill the young Eastern Tamils and now Mahinda went to Geneva for a hand shake with the LTTE and made another deal for him to stay for another 4 years and extended the license for the LTTE to kill the humans (Tamils). Because both of them are guided by the same masters.
Now these financial contributions have made the LTTE/ WTM into one of the world’s richest militant organizations and they invest vast amount of money in Canada in different business interests such as real estates, gas stations, business establishments, TV (TVI), radio (CTR, CMR 101.3 FM) as well as they are managing a Hindu temple in Toronto.
Last year after the Tsunami they collected millions of money in the name of Tsunami through the radio, TV and door to door canvassing, but we don’t know where the money gone. And one Tamil 24 hours radio CTBC only collected more than 400,000 Canadian dollars.
Here the LTTE/ WTM using the Canadian politicians for their propaganda as call them chief guests, speakers like that for their events. When Canadian politicians go to these events they have to check the background of these ruthless organizations background. The reason the politicians go to these LTTE/ WTM organized events also nearly 300,000 Tamil Diaspora living in Toronto and they need their votes.
The new Canadian Government has to protect their citizens by banning the World Tamil Movement and other LTTE activities
Like “The Canadian Democratic League’s Anton Mariyampillai, Pon. Shanmugalingam, Kulaindaivelu Mahendran and Lenn Benedict everyone have to come out. I salute them.
Every Tamil who affected by the Sinhalese regime and LTTE have to come out.
We need DEMOCRACY! DEMOCRACY! DEMOCRACY! – NOT ALTERNATIVE
PEACE! PEACE! PEACE!
PEACE! PEACE!
PEACE!
21. Vasuki Mariyathas | March 26th, 2006 at 10:04 am
I am sure the above comments from Vasuki will be deleted by the editor
22. Steve, USA | March 26th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
The Sri Lankan government use Criminal from Tamils to destroy the image of LTTE.
The Sri Lanka send who ever oppose LTTE around the world and let them do the dirty work and blame on LTTE.
I heard on radio show that Sri Lankan news media constantly never tell the truth.
The Sri Lankan government receive foreign blood money, then use them to buy weopons to oppress Tamils.
Any non profit organization never say, how much blood money that Sri Lankan received and how much money it wasted on corruption and arms.
I hope one day, this organization release report indication how the Sri Lanka use the foreign blood money — billions of dollar.
I do not why UNO or other organization support the Sri Lankan corruption and political denial and waste their money on unnecessary research like how many Tamil support Dollars.
The hard eaned blood money went to Tsunami, but Tamils live under trees, but unaffected Sri Lankan enjoy on buying drugs.
I hope we will see some corruption report about Sri Lankan soon.
23. Arun Vincent, Croydon, U.K. | March 26th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Dear Friends,
What we are seeing here today is that we cannot even complain in the west of what is happening here. Just imagine what our situation would be in the socalled Tamil Eelam.
We are not going to have writers like DBS Jeyaraj in Sri Lanka to help us or even to expose the tragedies like this in our community. Even now there is no room for people who do not carry guns. How it would be tomorrow?
Had DBS taken some effort in putting up the HRW report it would have been complete and a masterpiece that would have nailed down the LTTE decoys in Toronto and in London here once and for all. This is a good lesson for Jo Becker and others who were behind the scene in preparing this report.
Dear Mr. DBS Jeyaraj who ever you are and where ever you are, please do not give up on this. You are doing the right thing and that is why it hurts some people. When time comes they also will realize!!
Germans thought that Hitler was their Sun God and therefore he would never fail. That GoD became a DoG and died in a bunker. History will repeat. If not for Tsunami, the Tamils in Sri Lanka would have perished this time. The DoG had a narrow escape!!!
By the way, I do not see you waste your time and energy in replying to the LTTE minions but Tamil Nadu cinema.
Arun Vincent.
24. Muralee | March 26th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Hello DBS:
I am doubt about the purpose and motive of this report.
I want to know which factors did motivate you to write this article? Are you guys really worry about Tamil Canadians?
thanks
25. Nadesan | March 26th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Extortion and Intimidation of Canadians Tamils
Poor DBS carried the burden of truth for long time .I am Happy to see some Tamil Canadian also come forward. Well done DBS to wake them up
Many Tamil people taking about this because HRW reported , canadian papers and BBC published this news otherwise LTTE supporters and their thugs kept going .Among the western countries Australia where LTTE people do less intimidation and thugery but many things happened here too .Uthayam News paper distributor was threatened and columnist was intimidated and so many time news paper was removed from the shops. All these incidents were first reportered to TCC (Tamil Coordinating Committee people in friendly manner, after finding they were the actual culprit we have to taken to the authorities Apart from this I can name many people responsible in other intimidation too
My philosophy is If any Tamil man to give money and support to LTTE It is their prerogative but other do not want to do that leave them alone .In Tamil expatriate only people like DBS and few others have balls to criticize LTTE for their undemocratic behavior other following like “king with out cloths “
I can not stop laughing LTTE supporters say they is no money collection for LTTE. Are they fooling themselves or trying to fool others because in Australia TCC has issued a letter saying we do not want money at the movement after federal government raid in TRO Offices .Every body know these thing in this internet age.
Now it is time for the Tamil Community to do stock taking like any businessman except shooting the messenger like DBS.
NS NADESAN Australia
26. Murali | March 26th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
No major Canadian Tamil organization has government approved charity status. Misappropriations and constant pressure of self employed business people to ‘give’ by a few WTM people has caused this problem.
27. Samuel | March 26th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
The LTTE is much worse than the GOSL because it victimizes its own people. This is no ANC being led by a man of the stature of Nelson Mandela. The leadership of the LTTE will have to answer to all the crimes and murders they committed . Wake up Tamils, you get what you pay for.
28. Ajith | March 27th, 2006 at 2:45 am
Dear Mr Jayaraj
I take my hats off for your courage to stand up against the evil that is pervading our society. There are very few like you who speak out openly but you are special for your determination despite undergoing unbelievable experieces in the hands of the LTTE goons. You are the consience for those who are playing a subservient and apologist role for the degenerated evils whom are trying to dictate terms against the collective will of our people.
All what you said in your article is true. LTTE and its ideotic propaganda machiery is on the war path against truth and justice.
These elements are minority in the society but are able to dictate terms with the collosal financial spins they forcefully extrct from our people.
Let me confirm an incident that took place in the East part of London. The LTTE fund raisers in the East London area after their successfull fund raising work on 25 March 2006 went to a Tamil restaurant in EastHam and was having a gala time. Booze and exotic food with full of talks about their achievements reverberated the floor. At whose expense?
The LTTE was able steam role its fund raising pogram without resistence until recently. The times ahead will be very challenging. The LTTE has been put on the dock followng Human Rights Watch report. Proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let us wait and see how many of the fund raising foot soldiers of the LTTE are going to be nabbed and charged for their illgal work in the comig months and days ahead. The clock is ticking. People are rolling their sleaves. There is going to be war of Kurukshetram in the Tamil Diaspora. Let us see who wins.
29. Punithavathy | March 27th, 2006 at 8:02 am
Intelectual thinking of the LTTE has reached the zero level. Messages filed in the Human Rights websites is clear indication of the downward trend of the LTTE.
Your advice to the LTTE about how they could have minimised the damage by taking a non-hostaile root against the HRW is very interesting. The LTTE front runners do not know what they are doing. They are inflecting so much damage to the LTTE cause by behaving horribly.
30. A, India | March 27th, 2006 at 8:06 am
————————————————————-
Dear Vasuki Mariyathas,
The same thing happened to me, early morning they deleted one of my (above) comment also.
31. Rav | March 28th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Dear DBS, There is always good and bad to discuss about the moral of our freedom fighters. . LTTE already lost on the information war. LTTE knows that they can only win the arms war and for that they don’t want the peace where they cannot survive. So, they need money to continue the war.
32. Mathuran | March 28th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Well done DBS, Keep it up
Mathuran
Scarborough
33. Vairaperiyasamy | March 30th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Well done DBS,
Write all Human Rights Violations, like Bhojan family assassinations & all.
That’s only call journalism, keep it going…..
Vairaperiyasamy
Uddumpaipulliyankulam
Tamil Eelam
34. S.Anantha Mudaliyar | April 1st, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Many pro-LTTE Tamil groups in Toronto create some EELAM organizations after meeting in someone’s home and then they start to claim they are all SOLE representatives of Tamils in Toronto.
But these collectors for FINAL WAR have stories intimidations and this caused the victioms to be silent.
I chased a group of three from my door step. I did not call the police because I have no evidence of those people or their car number plates. A complaint without any evidence will give no results. That is my experience.
The lists of Tamil people who own houses were given to LTTE collectors by our Tamil real estate dealers who prey on Tamils only! I hope it is another real estate deal and sharing the collection.
In few cases these collectors advised the house owners to get a second or third mortgage as well! Who are the finaniciers?
Leave a Comment
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed