Transnational polls illegal

3 May 2010 04:16 am - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan government says the polls for a transnational government of Tamil Ealam held in Canada yesterday is illegal and is an attempt to keep the LTTE movement alive. Tamil Canadians turned out by the thousands to cast ballots in the controversial election.

“Now there is peace, no war, no killings in Sri Lanka,” Chitranganee Wagiswara, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Ottawa, told The Globe Sunday night. “This action, this event is trying to continue this, to keep the movement alive.”

Ms. Wagiswara pointed to April’s election of 14 Tamil members to the Sri Lankan government as a truer measure of Tamil wishes, namely, for a political voice within a united Sri Lanka.

Turnout was reportedly high in Toronto, which is home to more than half of Canada’s estimated 200,000 Sri Lankan Tamils, many of whom fled their country after civil war broke out between the separatist Tamil Tigers and the national government in 1983.

The Tigers’ defeat led supporters of Tamil independence abroad to take a novel tack to keep their dream of a homeland alive: a highly organized election of 135 “government” members, with the largest block of seats, 25, in Canada.

“It’s very smooth; I haven’t seen anything unusual,” Tam Sivathasan, spokesman for the committee for the formation of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, said a few hours before polls closed Sunday night, The Globe reported.

Mr. Sivathasan’s characterization of the vote, which he said aspired to and met Canadian election standards to prevent voter fraud and corruption, contrasted sharply with that of critics of the exercise both inside and outside the Tamil community. They saw the election as no more than a front for the defeated Tigers to revive their violent, secessionist movement, and said it will only impede Sri Lanka’s new peace and prevent Tamils from moving forward, The Globe reported.

Chris Sandrasagra, secretary of the Canadian Relief Organization for Peace in Sri Lanka, was similarly critical, and said callers to his Tamil radio show in Toronto were overwhelmingly against the vote.

“We love this country and we don’t want to have any kind of exile government; we can live in peace,” Mr. Sandrasagra said.

Proponents of the transnational government election, which also saw polling in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France and Switzerland, said their efforts are all about a peaceful and democratic way for Tamils abroad to continue supporting their war-weary kin back home, in the face of majoritarian chauvinism by Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese-led government.

“We welcome the democratic process in any community,” said David Poopalapillai, spokesman for the Canadian Tamil Congress. “As long as the process is open and transparent, we’re happy with it.”

Mr. Poopalapillai disputed critics’ assertions that the transnational government is simply a soft rebranding of the Tamil Tigers. He said Tamils who strongly disagreed with the Tigers’ brutal approach have lined up to support the new political movement, The Globe reported.

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Comments - 50

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:23 AM

TAMILS GO BACK TO TAMIL NADU WHERE THEY CAME FROM.ALSO SINHALESE GO BACK TO NORTH INDIA,WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

LET THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF SRI LANKA,THE - VEDDA PEOPLE - LIVE THERE.

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:03 AM

A very good comment by kaf

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:35 AM

hello lasantha, tamils abroad do not work as slaves, they own their own business and they are millionaires, you are saying this because you a sinhalese, each and every tamil civilian living in sri lanka as a second class citizen will suppot this transnational government. if you have a problem with that please give tamils what they ask.

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:37 AM

hello lionel. Canadians did'nt torture or start an anti tamil riots like sinhalese did in 1956, 1958, 1977 1981 and 1983.
ok lionel so canadian are more civilised

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:58 AM

Guys! Its a democratic process, we should welcome if anybody is doing it in a democratic way. If we say LTTE brought terrorist activities to SL then what happened from 1958 till 1983?, need of the hour is confidence building.

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:12 AM

Not a single person was arrested or convicted by SL (1956,1958,1977,1981 and 1983). Shame on all of you. Have you guys forgotten that SL burned Jaffna Library. Pls refer your history.

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:13 AM

you say that tamils are treated as second class in Sri Lanka but your happy to go and adhere to laws in Canada and learn french, you people havent been to Sri Lanka in years but believe in rumor after rumor, yes there was a war, yes people from both sides were killed and yes the Tamil people went through discrimination, but how is it justified in bringing back hatred to Sri Lanka again, you people are a bunch of hypocrits who live the luxury lives of the western world, il bet none of you will ever come back to Sri Lanka if eallam was ever created.

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:14 AM

we want to live in peace let the tamil man make a living in Jaffna by the sinhalese visiting it, let the sinhala man go in the bus without it blowing, let the sinhala man go to Jaffna with peace and the tamil mother resettle in a home, let the tamil people you used over the year be able to start there lives and let our country be united for once man!!! stop this hatred! stop playing with your own brothers for personal goals!

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:23 AM

1956, 1958, 1977 1981 and 1983, Jaffna Library(burning), standardization, Govt sponsored colonization, Lasantha, SF, War Crime, Do you want more?

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:30 AM

Any things that keep the momentum going to boost the government rating amongst the naive people is enough to make a issue in Sri Lanka.

Monday, 03 May 2010 09:37 AM

Irrespective of caste or creed I too am Sri Lankan. I have been relishing this debate but I am still to see a comment that would offer a solution acceptable to all. Sadly, this is where we are.

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:08 AM

Tamil people's racism towards Sinhala people is well documented even by the British, during their rule. Who by the way not only brought Tamils over to this country but also gave all the best jobs. Where in 1948, nearly 99% of the Civil Service was Tamil!!
Tamil's are not 2nd class citizens but they not nationals, becuase you are a foriegn community in this country. The only land you are not, is Tamil Nadu.
Dont call me an extermist, becuase I decided to tell the facts. It really sounds silly!!

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:11 AM

mr. jana,
i lost my father because of this war, ok so you don't know what its like to loose your father and your elder brother. yes we are living in luxury yes of course, but we are happy here. not like in sri lanka dying every day.

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:02 AM

This is a Eelam in Canada, and not in Sri Lanka, Beware Canadian Gov't , you are in trouble.

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:27 AM

They are not Sri Lanka citizens even in Mars they can have
elections for transitional government who cares.
why don`t they ask a separate state in Canada or start a guerilla war in Canada recruiting their children.
Don`t bring Sri Lanka into THE equation - it is one country now
one people all Sri Lankans

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:37 AM

Mr.Mahinda.(If this is your real name)

We (Sinhalese) also lost our parents, brothers and sisters due to this war and that was as done by Tamil suicide bombers. Do you think only you people have feelings.

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:39 AM

Try to live in the present and think about the future. Anyone can find faults if you really wants.

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:42 AM

Anyone who does not like to live in Sri Lanka can leave the country irrespective of the nationality (Sinhala, Tamil or anyone) like most of the people who comment here. They talk about Sri Lanka but live somewhere else.

Monday, 03 May 2010 10:47 AM

Just to mention you are the first Tamil I know by the name Mahinda. If you do not intend to come to Sri Lanka but want to live in Canada (or elsewhere) better not talk about Sri Lanka. You are no difference than milibandor hilary Clinton to us.

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:06 AM

Well you are wrong. Those elected members will represent in places like UN. And they will tell UN that Tamils are being mistreated in Sri Lanka. And they will be the agents who representing world Tamil community post Prabhakaran. And UN will believe them in a heart beat because all the leaders are well known, well educated and very influential to UN.

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:08 AM

Hussein,
You are right, Tibet is a kind of example.

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:15 AM

Can anyone tell me in which country where the majority of TAMILS live?

Tamilnadu in India.
So my belief is these Canadian Tamils should focus on having a transnational government in Tamilnadu instead of Sri lanka.

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:17 AM

Ethel

This is not Rajapakse & Co's Government to make money in billions. This is a Tamils Government under international rule which can't be touched by your Govt. This is where we are going to start our fight/WAR with GOSL without weapons. You wait and see.

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:24 AM

Mr. Isuru,
sinhalese people started the war, so if you loose your brothers and sisters its not our mistake, its your mistake, which your uncle S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake made ok

Monday, 03 May 2010 11:27 AM

Mr. Isuru, i'm commenting from Batticaloa, ok i have lived in this land for the past 30 years, so if you don't anything about sinhalese politics please don't comment

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:16 AM

switzerland,germany,canada are still mainly active for LTTE, a lot if things are going on against the Sri lankan goverment and they want transnational government. in canada 99 percent voted for the transnational government,switzerland 85 percent,looks like sri lanka has no diplomatic connection with switzerland and canada there LTTE is prohibited but some EU governments are closing their eyes,

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:26 AM

this election happened in Canada and Tamil people voted for this, what's wrong with sri lanka.
Sri Lankan politicians can keep their mouth shut and mind their own business

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:26 AM

I wonder where the elected members are going to rule? Canada? United Kingdom?, United States?, Germany? , France or Switzerland?
Definitly not in Sri Lanka!

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:34 AM

This small group of people want to continue making money out of the poor hard working Tamils.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:44 AM

This is the first step to find the Tamils's opinion regarding political issues. So Srilankan government will be in a position to conduct referendum to find exactly what is going on with the people in the North and East. Tamils in Jaffna started to convey their displeasure of governance. It is simply because they do not feel that they are part of it.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:47 AM

These Tamils whether they are Pro-LTTE or not, are just trying to keep the LTTE sepratist flame alive...and this will not help the innoncent Tamils in Sri Lanka even a tiny bit.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:48 AM

Well. In that case, please have your own Eelam in Cananda itself and leave Sri Lanka alone, just like you say.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:52 AM

Government without a land! Just like a fish bun without fish!!

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:52 AM

we tamils have the right to live in our own motherland Eelam, but some people are not allowing us, they are trying to make us slaves, so if the transnational government is formed, no one can mess with TAMILS.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:56 AM

Most people do not know what the transnational government can achieve, specially the sinhalese. The tamils are well organised and very clever. They know how to win the Eelam war without using weapons. Do not forget the tamils in Sri Lanka have the right for self determination and the transnational government will be a step in the right direction.

Said Hussein - Dubai

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:08 AM

Well what is wrong with Sri Lanka ? You tell us !

All Sri Lankans, including you (if you are one) should be patriotic.

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:09 AM

This a money laundering racket. A tail trying to wag the dog !
Ignore.

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:15 AM

Any one has the right to live in his motherland. There's no question about it. But the problem with YOU is that you have misidentified your motherland. You were born in Sri Lanka, so your motherland is Sri Lanka. Please feel free to live anywhere in Sri Lanka. There's a quite a lot of tamils living in their motherland a free life. Open your eyes and have a look at it.

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:21 AM

Who Cares ? Govt should not waste one second bothering what is happening over there but ensure tight survillance in Lanka to nip any nonsence.

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:29 AM

if a Transnational Government is formed like Tibet and can become an exile government ... means ... a legal body to represent internationally ... see mighty china cant mess with Tibet or its leader Dalai lama ... now if Ellam manages to get this legal setup right in place ... other governments will help the movement ... is Ellam really the home land of Tamils ?

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:42 AM

canadian gov should consider to give land to this LTTE gov to function. IF CANADIANS THINK TAMILS ARE DISCRIMINATED IN SRI LANKA JUST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE SEPERATE TAMIL EALAM. I URGE CANADIAN GOV TO GIVE IT SINCE NOW THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANADA AND SRI LANKA. THERE IS EQUAL DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS TO EVERY SRI LANKAN CITIZEN UNLIKE SOME COUNTRIES TAMILS ARE LIVING AND MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NO WAR. ITS JUST AS PEACEFULL AS CANADA. IF CANADIAN GOV THINKS THEY ARE BETTER THAN US, PLS GIVE SEPERATE STATE TO TAMILS.

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:48 AM

Dear Mr.Udara!, Have you not been aware that Tamils had to carry Police Reports before. there are lots of Tamils who get arrested at our international air port, If the Tamils get treated as second class citizens, they have every right to restore their rights. Please do not write a statement to portray that you are patriot, find a way to resolve the minority rights issue, then the Tamils will feel Sri Lanka is our motherland.

Monday, 03 May 2010 06:53 AM

It's a terrorist problem for Canadian government.
Those economic refugees are not Sri Lankan citizens.
We have to make sure that the terrorism will not arise in sri lanka again. Give a reasonable solution for ethnic problem
We have more than enough problems to negotiate within our country.
Let the Canadians or any other western country create transnational or elam in whereever they want.

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:01 AM

god bless Canadians .

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:02 AM

Its time that SL Govt demand all western countries allowing such illegal activities to dismantle or ban them or else we should go against these govt by boycotting imports & exports to them. SL should find alternate products, services from only friendly countries & not from tiger money sponsored western terror promoters.

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:05 AM

sorry mate your mother land is tamil nadu where you will be treated like kings, why not try there first ? other wise we will offer sahara dessert or Siberia to practice terrorism better

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:09 AM

eelam achieved in Canada with computer jillmart. have some big macs to celebrate the achievement of Canadeelam.

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:26 AM

Even Sinhalese has to carry their IDs, it is because of the problems created by war. If Tamils have to register, that is because of the problems created by them. and Mahinda, you dont have to work as slaves as u said, you can come and work in Sri Lanka, but we know you work as slaves in Canada doing odd jobs, not because SL is not good or you have problems, just because you want more money

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:49 AM

Killing for ransom started in Jaffna, this is just the beginning.

Monday, 03 May 2010 07:55 AM

Mr.Lasantha, there is nothing wrong in doing odd jobs, as long as you do it legitimately. It is better than taking people for ransom and earning money from it.

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Transnational polls illegal

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