Ira de Silva London, Ontario

The Editor
The Island Newspaper
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Dear Sir:
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The Canadian Prime Minister is entitled to attend or not attend any conference, CommonwealthƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or other, if he so chooses. However, that he should make such a statement in the form of a “threat”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  is not acceptable because by doing so he isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ disregarding the rights of a sovereign country and the human rights of all the people of Sri Lanka. Further,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Commonwealth is composed of many countries and the decision to hold the games in Sri Lanka was made in 2009, why did Canada not object then?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ To make this statement now just creates theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ impression that heƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is a spoilsport.
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Mr. LevyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ says the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “international community” has concerns about accountability issues in Sri Lanka. This much used term in fact just refers to a few Eurocentric countries andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a couple ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ allies. Most of the other countries in the world are not involved. It reflects a colonial mindset from countries who for centuries have violated every right of the peoples they occupied, murdered andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ oppressed without a second thought while they lootedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and robbed the wealth of these countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Today, they are bombing civilians and killing thousands in many areas of the world without any accountability. They claim that they are fighting a war on terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  While these countries are killing thousands of civiliansƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in other countriesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ without anyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ accountability they are concentrating on SriƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Lanka where for nearly thirty years there was actual terrorism funded by citizens of these same countries referred to as the “international community” aided and abetted by their politicians. This is the duplicity of these countries – one law for themselves and another for those who they want to bully and dictate to.
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The question for Mr. Levy and Canada is simple. IsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ CanadaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ accountable for the two million dollars a month sent by Canadian citizens for terrorism in Sri Lanka? Is Canada accountable for terrorism in Sri Lanka which was supportedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for over a decade by the Liberal government, aided by the leadership of the New Democratic Party while the Conservatives just acted blind? Has Mr. Levy forgotten that Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament attended fund raising events by Canadian supporters of terrorism in Sri Lanka? Is Canada accountable for the thousands of Sri Lankan lives lost by terrorism paid for fromƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Canada? Is it accountableƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the economic destruction in Sri Lanka caused by acts such as the bombing of the Central Bank when they have proof, not justƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ allegations, that it was paid for by citizens of Canada?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Is Canada accountable for the fact that in the process of trying to get a few Tamil votes in Canada theyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  violated and are violating the rights of all Sri Lankans?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ These same questions of accountability apply to the other countries of this so called “international community” such as the U.S., U.K., European Union, and Australia.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Let them practice what they preach, perhaps then they will earn some credibility when making these statements.
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As and when Canada and these other countriesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ can provideƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ accountability for terrorism in Sri Lanka funded and promoted by their citizensƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  perhaps then they will have the right to call for accountability from Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I hope that Mr. Levy will take this letter as a “nudge” to make Canada accountable and encourage the othersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to follow Canada’s example. If theyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are accountable they should also consider making an apology and providing compensation to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans affected by their actions.
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Yours truly,
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Ira de Silva
London, Ontario