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Arrests of 6 Tamils from Canada leaves Tamil-Canadians shocked and concerned
Friday, 25 August 2006 - 8:09 AM SL Time
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Brett Popplewell TORONTO (CP) _ The six Canadians accused of trying to obtain weapons on behalf of the Tamil Tigers rebel group are not a fair reflection of the more than 300,000 Tamils living in this country, Canada`s largest Tamil community group said Thursday.
``The recent arrests ... have shocked and bewildered all of us,`` Kavita Pathinathar said Thursday at a news conference organized by the Canadian Tamil Congress.
``The members of the Tamil community are in unison in deploring the thought process that would have compelled someone to conceive this idea. In the strongest of terms possible, we categorically condemn this isolated incident.``
At least 14 people have been arrested in Canada and the United States for allegedly helping the Tamil Tigers in their escalating fight against the Sri Lankan military.
The group has been fighting for an independent state in Sri Lanka since 1983 for the 3.2 million ethnic Tamil minority.
In April, Canada added the Tamil Tigers to its list of terrorist organizations.
Six of the suspects are Canadian citizens and the RCMP arrested three of them in Canada this week at the request of U.S. authorities.
Ramanan Mylvaganam, 29, was picked up Tuesday at an apartment in Mississauga, Ont., Piratheepan Nadarajah, 30, was taken into custody Wednesday evening, while 26-year-old Suresh Sriskandarajah was arrested on a provisional warrant on Monday.
They all face possible extradition to the U.S.
American authorities allege three of the accused travelled to New York from Canada to try to buy weapons, including missiles, launchers and AK-47s. The men are also charged with fundraising and money laundering through ``front`` charitable organizations and U.S. bank accounts.
But David Poopalapillai, the national spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress, said he doubts any money was raised from his community to help the Tigers in Sri Lanka.
``As far as we know there`s no money collected for weapons,`` he said.
Poopalapillai said he and many Tamils are worried the recent arrests will hurt the community`s efforts to raise aid money for those suffering from the bloody conflict between the Hindu Tamil minority and the Buddhist Sinhalese majority, which has left over 100,000 dead in Sri Lanka.
And Pathinathar said many are also worried that the Tamil community`s reputation has been tarnished.
``We are concerned at the potential this could have against the entire community,`` she said.
Poopalapillai also pleaded with Canadians to learn more about the conflict in Sri Lanka to better understand the suffering of the Tamil people before assuming that the Tamil Tigers are synonymous with all Tamils.
He said he was surprised when he heard that Sarachandran, the former communications director for the Canadian Tamil Congress, was one of the suspects.
But he cautioned the public that one individual`s actions should not tarnish the image of the entire organization.
``Most of our youngsters are pretty sensible ... it`s an isolated incident. I would call (the suspects) loose cannons,`` he said.
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kanthun
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 25 Aug 2006 01:16:13 GMT Report for Abuse
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the bloody conflict between the Hindu Tamil minority and the Buddhist Sinhalese majority
Finally people are begining to realize the religious aspects behind the Sinhalese hatred for Tamils. |
Revy
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25 Aug 2006 01:17:13 GMT Report for Abuse
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Look at that when Tamils do something wrong the community condems them, but when the GoSL does it (killing the school girls) the Sinhala cheer.
Just like those Arabs cheering 9/11.
Edited By - Revy - 25 Aug 2006 01:17:53 GMT |
kanthun
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25 Aug 2006 01:21:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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There's nothing wrong with buying weapons for self-defense.
If the Sinhalese stoppend using their Kfir's to bomb Tamil areas, and massacring hundreds of civilians, there would be no need for these weapons. If the west stopped arming the Sinhala army with new and modern weapons that kill thousands of innocents, there would be no need for the Tamils to defend themselves.
Edited By - kanthun - 25 Aug 2006 01:22:04 GMT |
godcube
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 25 Aug 2006 01:23:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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What a selfish ungrateful race
and you blame the other side |
hashini
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 25 Aug 2006 01:27:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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He said he was surprised when he heard that Sarachandran, the former communications director for the Canadian Tamil Congress, was one of the suspects.
But he cautioned the public that one individual's actions should not tarnish the image of the entire organization.
Opportunistic. He is or maybe theyall are worried about the organization and not necessarily the individuals who are caught up in this. If USA told Canada to arrest them they must be quite reliable. |
godcube
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25 Aug 2006 01:30:37 GMT Report for Abuse
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I realise why tamils like suicide missions
even if they survive no bdy to save them.
better to die than to live like a tamil |
Mucha-linda
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 25 Aug 2006 01:30:56 GMT Report for Abuse
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Does any one know how old this David Poopalapillai (the spokes person of Canadian Tamil Congress) is?
I like to raise him up as a FOSTER CHILD (i.e. Daru kamata hadaa ganna). He is so childish, and he is absolutely unspoiled. He knew nothing about anything. The way he has spoken is so cute!!
-Muchalinda
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godcube
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25 Aug 2006 01:38:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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Us prison life is much more comfortable than life in ltte areas.
they will be better off than one in the north |
hashini
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25 Aug 2006 01:39:10 GMT Report for Abuse
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Raves:
The people involved in this deal are innocent ones, family men or students.
Maybe because they were innocent some shrewd people tracked them to take the deal. If it went right someone else would have taken the credit, now that it went wrong most will make some noice, then forget about it! |
godcube
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25 Aug 2006 01:42:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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Eliphant pass
becouse its part of sri lanka.
have you ever wonderd how meny tamils lived in canada or uk in 1970.
in a democratic coutry ony one has a right live whereever they like to live
in 10years (after 1o more years of war thre will be a lot f non tamils living in jaffna because all the tamil will be extinct and somebody have to fill the space
Edited By - godcube - 25 Aug 2006 01:45:44 GMT |
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