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Last Updated : 2024-03-29 00:02:00
Campaigners have called on the Mayor of Harrow, Kareema Marikar, to resign after she was pictured with senior military figures during a visit to Sri Lanka, Harrow Times reported on Monday.
Councillor Kareema Marikar visited the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Mahesh Senanayake, and Brigadier Priyanka Fernando during a trip last year.
She posted pictures of her meetings – in which she is wearing the mayoral chain – on social media alongside messages praising the soldiers for their service.
However, Harrow Times said the members of the Tamil community in Harrow are upset at this representation, given the army officials’ involvement in the Sri Lankan civil war.
“They were particularly disappointed given that Brigadier Fernando was found guilty of violating the Public Order Act when he made a throat cutting gesture at protestors – many of whom were Tamil – outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London,” it said.
A petition with 49 signatures was handed to Harrow Council calling on Councillor Marikar to step down from her role.
It said: “Most Tamil residents in Harrow escaped the war and came to the UK as refugees, and they still carry the scars of that war which killed many of their kith and kin in their former home country.
“We believe Ms. Marikar’s judgement on this matter was very poor and her actions were offensive to the Tamil community she represents in Harrow.
“It was extremely upsetting to learn that Ms. Marikar, who represents a large number of Tamils in Harrow and claims to have a detailed knowledge of Sri Lanka, chose to publish photographs with these senior military officials.”
Councillor Marikar, who was elected as mayor in May, hails from Sri Lanka herself. She has lived in Harrow in London for 28 years and has served as a councillor since 2010.
The mayor's office has been contacted by Harrow Times for comment.
SL Tuesday, 26 February 2019 10:21 AM
We want to know what these Tamil community living in UK as economic migrant has done to the Tamil community living in Sri Lanka. They have done one thing , they keep brainwashing Tamils in North ,even stopped them learning Sinhalese language so as they can keep both communities apart and Enjoy their lavish lifestyle in UK saying discrimination etc.. Murali is right,this Tamil diaspora want local Tamils to stay poor and uneducated
S P Wickramasinghe Tuesday, 26 February 2019 12:35 PM
Well said SL.If legal action is taken against military people same should apply to LTTE carders and including the tamil community abroad cause there were lot of LTTE carders who fled to those countries seeking greener pastures.
mnsmart Tuesday, 26 February 2019 12:06 PM
Since the civil war is over and peace is prevailing, these Tamils can return to Sri Lanka
peter Tuesday, 26 February 2019 05:08 PM
I want to know where in SL is peace prevailing. I am very keen to know
Arnold Tuesday, 26 February 2019 02:23 PM
I am sure the diaspora will make this a big issue so that they can send more Tamils into UK.
Honourable Hitan Tuesday, 26 February 2019 02:26 PM
What lavish lifestyle in London? Most of them have NO jobs some stack goods in Tesco asda etc some work in gas stations some clean toilets in tube stations It is better if all of them stay in London doing these odd jobs rather than coming to SL
Roshan Jurangpathy abu musa Tuesday, 26 February 2019 04:24 PM
Whats wrong in stacking goods in Tesco or Asda? Do you find faults in gas station jobs or tube stations janitorial works. This is typical Sri Lankan mentality of down grading things. if you know how they have integrated in to UK system or the posts they occupy in different fields of the UK society surely you will be fainted bro. don't expect a single community to hold only white collar jobs. There is a diversity and its the reality.
Frustrated grapes Tuesday, 26 February 2019 05:08 PM
And their children/2nd generation becomes as top world class professional with out taking any bribes.
LOKKA Tuesday, 26 February 2019 05:01 PM
All these fellows are bogus asylum seekers. They fooled every Western country and came there with concocted stories and supported the LTTE war machine using British taxpayers money.
Coconut Republic Tuesday, 26 February 2019 06:18 PM
You said it Roshan!
Ceylonese Tuesday, 26 February 2019 06:28 PM
Most of the Tamils who left the country during the war are doing very well overseas as doctors, engineers etc. In fact my cardiologist at the Gold Coast University Hospital who is a Tamil is a highly qualified doctor and has many titles after his name. Recently I read that the female Deputy Mayor of Oslo who visited Sri Lanka recently is also a Tamil.
Sammy Wednesday, 27 February 2019 05:20 AM
individual stories are just hobby horeses, truth is diaspora took the advatage of the war to take as mush as Tamils for better living, there are all kinds men there, terrisrits and who helped terrorsits are there... they shoud get what they deserve..... a doctor can be Terrorist and Terrosrist can be Doctor too...in Auatralia, legislations are made, if found involved in terror ..they are sent back...
Bala S Wednesday, 27 February 2019 06:16 AM
This issue is NOT between Tamils and Sinhalese. This issue is a matter is between publicly elected official and the LTTE supporters ( some of them ex LTTE cadres ) in Harrow. Even in thousand years they will still support their cause to divide the country by any means. Our family left Jaffna because of the gun toting LTTE thugs. Sad affairs.
Bimal Wednesday, 27 February 2019 06:30 AM
Peter... I am in Ja-ela for 45 years. it is very peaceful here for all communities.
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