Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Canada helping ‘evil forces’- SL

3 May 2013 02:49 am - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka’s high commissioner to Canada is accusing the Canadian government of strengthening “evil forces” through its threat to boycott an upcoming Commonwealth summit in Colombo.

But Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird dismissed the criticism Thursday, saying Canada would continue to find ways to “increase pressure” on Sri Lanka’s government to protect human rights.

In a statement, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Sri Lanka’s high commissioner to Canada, said it was “appalling and unprecedented for certain quarters to express views” opposing a decision by heads of state a few years ago about who would host of the 2013 Commonwealth summit.

Baird had said Tuesday that the Commonwealth was failing its greatest test by letting Sri Lanka host the November summit, instead of pressuring it to improve its post-civil war record and protect its Tamil minority.

“We’re tremendously concerned about the deteriorating and authoritative trend of the government in Sri Lanka,” Baird told a parliamentary committee. The federal government has suggested Canada may not attend the summit.

Wagiswara said Sri Lanka needed support after facing “separatist terrorism for nearly three decades,” and ongoing post-conflict challenges.

“Notably certain separatist elements within the diaspora including in Canada, still continue to relentlessly disseminate anti-Sri Lanka propaganda and lobby political leaders and other decision makers,” said Wagiswara. “Hostile criticism and unfair targeting of Sri Lanka by Canada only serves to further strengthen the evil forces working against Sri Lanka and does not contribute in any manner to the ongoing rebuilding and reconciliation process in the multicultural society of the country.”

Wagiswara added that his country was looking to all members of the Commonwealth to “uphold principles of objectivity, understanding, mutual respect and the equality of sovereign states.”

Baird’s spokesman, Rick Roth, responded Thursday: “Our government has spoken loudly and clearly on the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka, including our concerns on the lack of accountability for the serious allegations of war crimes, lack of reconciliation with the Tamil community, and with the events that have taken place since the end of the civil war.” (Source: Montreal Gazette)

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 - 13

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
  • Shandy Friday, 03 May 2013 02:58 AM

    It was Canadian money that unleashed weapons of mass destruction in Colombo for many years. They were more powerful than pressure cookers.

    Nodrog Friday, 03 May 2013 03:03 AM

    Unfortunately the tamil votes in Canada has made him forget his principles

    ANTON Friday, 03 May 2013 05:00 AM

    BEFORE LONG CANADA WILL HAVE TO PERFORM DEVIL DANCE TO DRIVE OUT EVIL FORCES.

    IOSirisena Friday, 03 May 2013 05:03 AM

    canada stooping to protect their diaspora votes.

    ravi Friday, 03 May 2013 09:05 AM

    Evil is talking about Evils

    Saskia Friday, 03 May 2013 09:21 AM

    Evil forces only exists in SL.

    Nadi Karunaratne Friday, 03 May 2013 10:09 AM

    Twaddle.

    R.Rohan Friday, 03 May 2013 12:58 PM

    Good one Anton.

    Kit udugama Friday, 03 May 2013 01:07 PM

    Illegal donations talk. Supporting the terrorists is a dangerous game !!!

    crow Friday, 03 May 2013 01:20 PM

    Canada Respects HR. We should understand.

    Road Runner Saturday, 04 May 2013 01:11 AM

    You are correct. Sri lankans dieing to reach this country. when they fail blame the country. Nary aasai midi walata.

    Road Runner Saturday, 04 May 2013 01:12 AM

    You mean SL gvt.

    Yuri Saturday, 04 May 2013 03:48 AM

    You mean white Van to run in Canada.


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