Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

SL family deported after govt. denies final plea to stay in Canada

4 December 2017 11:32 am - 26     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A Sri Lankan family in Montreal, Canada boarded a plane Sunday evening and was deported back to their home country after Ottawa refused to give them a last-minute reprieve.

The Lawrence family arrived five years ago as refugee claimants and have since found either jobs or academic success.

But the family members’ refugee claims were not approved. Their flight back to Sri Lanka took off at 8:10 p.m., almost three hours behind schedule.

Several federal and provincial politicians as well as Amnesty International have called on the Canadian government to grant the family a reprieve.

Quebec’s immigration minister also issued them selection certificates that could have paved the way to permanent residence if they were allowed to stay.

Their lawyer, Stéphane Handfield, said Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale chose not to use his discretionary power to suspend the deportation order and wrote to the family to indicate he would not intervene in their case. Handfield said the family still fears persecution in their home country.(The Canadian press)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 26

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • RDF Monday, 04 December 2017 11:50 AM

    Economic refugees. Selling their motherland discrediting it for their own benefit.If you want to live abroad get a proper job without false allegations of persecution back at home.A good lesson for all those who betray Sri Lanka.

    malik Monday, 04 December 2017 01:01 PM

    Fool, Corrupt Politicians sold their motherland, and stored the money in Private banks in Europe, Panama. The people are suffering, cant blame anyone doing this to leave Hell.

    Jaliya Monday, 04 December 2017 09:23 PM

    If you want to live abroad get a proper job without false allegations ?? These are not allegations these are claims by a family who did not want to live in a country that has corruption, no discipline and no rule of law. Can you blame them for doing that NO. Having a negative attitude towards the UN doesn't mean their life is in any danger ...... its only the opinion of majority. We are now beginning to see more and more of these deportations from countries who allowed the refugees asylum. All refugees and others who lives abroad contributes to the sri lankan economy by sending portion of their income in foreign currency to sri lanka that it really need now to reinforce the foreign reserves.

    Lankan Tuesday, 05 December 2017 11:29 AM

    RDF, i am not sure where you live but if you are in SL, I bet , you would do the same if you get the opportunity!

    Stan Monday, 04 December 2017 12:24 PM

    They are not economic refugees. He worked for the UN in the eastern province during the war and left Sri Lanka to protect his family from any backlash due to his work because Sri Lankans generally have an anti-UN attitude.

    SL Monday, 04 December 2017 03:41 PM

    LOL you remember me the the Toddy Hora story ! how immature you are

    Awanthi Monday, 04 December 2017 12:26 PM

    RDF well said! similarly, wonder how MR's bros received US passports while hundreds of innocent Sri lankans being killed?

    countryman Monday, 04 December 2017 12:35 PM

    Well Said!

    Love Sri Lanka Monday, 04 December 2017 12:37 PM

    RDF, no one asked for your opinion ! keep your opinion to your self. Do not judge others. Do you have all the facts ? Do you know all about this issue ? Please keep your loose mouth to your self.

    ransam Monday, 04 December 2017 02:28 PM

    But Canadian government is on RDFs side. Otherwise they would not have deported the family. Canada has identified them as bogus economic migrants.

    asfar Monday, 04 December 2017 01:02 PM

    RDF, people have their own reasons to do what they do. so, just learn and write.

    ami Tuesday, 05 December 2017 03:12 PM

    yeah even a gang rape criminal has reasons to rape a woman. Don't spit nonsense here. Comment with common sense.

    Sincere Monday, 04 December 2017 01:26 PM

    We welcome you to your motherland with open arms dear brother and sister. Though you had been a burden to another government overseas, not to us.

    Hadam Monday, 04 December 2017 01:56 PM

    RDF, if you had a chance for better life with one lie..? I don't see you turning it down unless you are well connected within the society. I agree the fact not to sell our country but when our leaders are selling them self with the expense of the citizens, I think anyone would look for opportunity. If the country is in good standard I don't think anyone in the right mind would leave Sri Lanka.

    malik Monday, 04 December 2017 02:39 PM

    Hadam, well said. Some of these Lankans commenting from outside Lanka saying how wonderful it is don't realise the reality here.

    Sheri Monday, 04 December 2017 01:57 PM

    The Canadian authorities have seen through these bogus refugees. They have lied. Same should be imposed on those who claim persecution.

    John Monday, 04 December 2017 02:10 PM

    Of course these are economic migrants. The fact a country like Canada refused them speaks for itself. They are no good here nor there.

    malik Monday, 04 December 2017 02:36 PM

    Canada Only give status to LTTE Fighters, Genuine refugees sent back

    sena Monday, 04 December 2017 02:16 PM

    Try Switzerland.

    Huna Monday, 04 December 2017 02:23 PM

    Warm welcome back to the Peelam !

    Tony Montana Monday, 04 December 2017 03:59 PM

    Not only tamils Sinhalese,muslims and other religious also are political asylum seekers.

    Suresh Monday, 04 December 2017 09:51 PM

    This is just a joke, if your not qualified academically you cannot expect Canada to give you Visa there is nothing wrong in SL stop bullshit

    cheers Tuesday, 05 December 2017 04:24 AM

    All tamil refugees are bogus refugees Canada is the hub and also other parts of the world

    Asoka Tuesday, 05 December 2017 11:02 AM

    There are nothing left to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka or at least nothing left to sell...All are sold out...

    Suranimala Tuesday, 05 December 2017 11:47 AM

    Refugees getting sent back happen all the time. Why such a hue and cry on this one particular case? Are the a politically connected family?

    asfar Tuesday, 05 December 2017 02:26 PM

    this is the best country in the world to live with all resources at our disposal. but racism, corruption, no law and order etc...etc....make people to leave this paradise when the opportunity knocks the door. sad truth is this is almost a failed state now.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H