Sri Lankans ‘need not flee’- Envoy

30 December 2013 03:50 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe said Sri Lankans no longer have any reason to flee to Australia as the country moves towards reconciliation.

Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe attended a Sri Lankan community event at the weekend, paying tribute to the contributions of Sri Lankans to Wagga, where about 100 Sri Lankan families call home.

According to the UN, more than 30,000 civilians died in those final years of conflict and more than 14,000 people are seeking asylum.

Speaking before the Wagga Sri Lankans' cultural event, Admiral Samarasinghe told The Daily Advertiser the civil war and its fallout has been "fully settled".

"Terrorism was defeated in Sri Lanka against terrorists," he said.

"But they are trying to accuse Sri Lanka of various wrongdoings which are not true.

"Sri Lankans need not come to Australia anymore as asylum seekers or refugees.

"They are not being persecuted."

Admiral Samarasinghe said the Sri Lankans living in Australia came looking for a better life.

"Sri Lankans have deep roots in Australia," he said.

"They make very responsible citizens, very disciplined with no trouble and very friendly.

"For Sri Lanka, Australia is a second home."

Most Sri Lankans living in Wagga are employed in education and health service sectors.

Admiral Samarasinghe highlighted education as a major link between Sri Lanka and Australia.

"A lot of students are coming to Australia," he said.

"With the new Colombo Plan, there will now even be Australian students going to Sri Lanka.
"This is a link that will flourish.

"We are expecting our relationship to go from strength to strength."(dailyadvertiser)

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Comments - 19

Thomas Ranger Monday, 30 December 2013 07:45 AM

Who is this guy, he utters all the good things we Sri Lankans can look forward in Australia and the numbers of us seeking a good life. So, you tell us who the 'fleeers' are. In your opinion all those Sri Lankans domiciled in SAstralia are 'fleeers' is it.

Jaan Wednesday, 01 January 2014 10:18 AM

These angry people have forgotten how we lived in fear including in the North for 36 years. How many people got killed by Terrorists? few took the chance to go to a better country and now insult mother land. What an ungrateful lot?

Perumal Wednesday, 01 January 2014 04:34 AM

Shanmugan, Even menial jobs in countries like Australia pay better than qualified jobs in SL. A time would come when Sri Lankans would reconcile to Terrorism rather than die from hunger

dharmapala Wednesday, 01 January 2014 04:24 AM

you are a government stooge, we do not want your advice, your job is watch dog,

investigator Tuesday, 31 December 2013 07:26 AM

this man is living in australia with all luxuries from peoples money.he has no idea how the sri lankan corrupt politicians run the country with cruevalty and corruption ???..he is heavily drunk person.

Richard P Tuesday, 31 December 2013 05:34 AM

There is no better example than all Singhalese to return back in numbers pledging there support to their dear leader. .. and show the world there is no other land than srilanka for good health. education. welfare. quality of life. equality and rights ?

Action speak louder than words my fellow singhalese brothers and sisters. let see your true patriotic colors or if it is just BS when you voice your claims. ...

mohamed asfar Tuesday, 31 December 2013 04:47 AM

thisara said. problem solved.

unchikun Monday, 30 December 2013 11:21 AM

You do not seem to got the point.

sarath mendis Monday, 30 December 2013 09:34 AM

Another stooge who has to say these things to retain his post. These are the dumb military folks they send to represent Sri Lanka.

vestigator Monday, 30 December 2013 08:11 AM

hello,when that happen ????.why these lies saing daily ????.shame on you.

Goofy Monday, 30 December 2013 04:05 AM

Hello Mr. Samarasinghe. SrI Lanka is a heaven for a few specially the bootlickers. It is economic hell for the rest of us. Please note the you are also on the list of people who will get a free flight to the Hague.

Shanmugan Monday, 30 December 2013 07:38 AM

#Goofy in your dreams, that any one would be going to the Hague. If one cannot make it here, I don't see how they are going to make it in other countries, unless one is qualified. Unless they take up menial jobs that they would not take up in S/L. If one is qualified one could work here or any place else.

Shanmugan Monday, 30 December 2013 07:35 AM

#taurus. There is nothing wrong with soldiers stationed in any part of Sri Lanka. There are soldiers in Colombo and Anuradhapura etc. No one is complaining. We came out of a horrible terrorist war only a few years ago. If there is any persecution, its in the minds of the people who do not want to live in a unitary state. Under the Colombo plan there have been exchanges of students between member countries. You seem so biased and ignorant.

Dr.wijebahu Monday, 30 December 2013 07:14 AM

Your excellency,
The people leaving Sri Lanka are not the Tamils from the north of Sri Lanka. They are Sinhalese ,Muslims and a few Colombo Tamils. This is the result of economic mismanagement of your government. Please get your facts correct as Gen.Fonseka is not going to correct them as he did during the war.

Shehan Monday, 30 December 2013 07:02 AM

The reason for having so many soldiers in the North is to ensure no terrorist activities start up again. It benefits all Sri Lankans!

Firaz Anver Monday, 30 December 2013 05:52 AM

You are absolutely right, Goofy. These opportunists should be hanged in front of Sri Lankans.

taurus Monday, 30 December 2013 05:33 AM

If not persecuted, what is the reason for having so many soldiers in the north and even the governor is from the army?
Australian students coming to Sri Lanka, my foot ambassador, it is like the same andare story Patali hatched out during elections that he is going to manufacture petrol out of plastic and make the country self sufficient. Go tell that to your own children and wife.

raj Monday, 30 December 2013 04:52 AM

So all those who have "deep roots" in Australia can or should come back to Sri Lanka?

jayamal Monday, 30 December 2013 04:34 AM

Goofy
you have said it correctly, bootlickers having a hay day in this wonder of asia.

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Sri Lankans ‘need not flee’- Envoy

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