Mahinda Gunasekera -By E-mail

January 19, 2014

The Editor
Toronto Star
1 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario

 Dear Editor,

Re:  MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan’s questionable tale of harassment in Sri Lanka

I refer to the news report filed by Alex Boutilier published in your edition of January 16, 2014 which describes MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan’s version of her supposed experiences in Sri Lanka where she attempts to show that she was a target of the Sri Lankan intelligence and immigration authorities .

In the first place she erred in visiting the country as a tourist without disclosing the fact that she was an elected parliamentarian of Canada, and meeting with separatist elements of the Tamil Tiger’s proxy party known as the TNA and other supporters of the Tamil separatist cause.  MP Sitsabaiesan has obtained an entry visa on-line just like any one of the over one million tourists and not followed established protocol of informing Sri Lanka’s Mission in Ottawa.  She probably drew the attention of members opposed to the Tamil Tigers resident in the northern province bringing same to the notice of the authorities.  She being a rookie legislator who is a backbencher of an opposition party would certainly not have registered in that country’s radar to cause any concern at that end.  It is possible that the Immigration authorities in Sri Lanka may have later cautioned her about engaging in activities of a political nature in the capacity of a tourist.

Picture of MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan posing with a flag of the banned Tamil Tigers.

Her imaginary story of being followed by men on motorbike’s from the time of her arrival in Colombo is just a tall story to make her appear more important and larger than her real situation in life, just to get the eye of the Canadian media such as the Toronto Star which has a reputation of being a biased critic of Sri Lanka.  Similar stories by Rosie DiManno too were given wide publicity, but not one line written by others in response refuting her distortions was carried by this newspaper.

MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan whose election is still under investigation by Elections Canada for irregular practices by a large segment of non-resident voters casting ballots in her riding cannot make herself appear as an innocent victim of foreign regulators.  She also cannot hide from the fact that her own Facebook revealed her ties to the banned Tamil Tigers, as her picture with the Tiger flag which she deleted has been saved by others, which is submitted in attachment.  She is now trying to portray herself as a champion of human rights having been actively involved inside the den of the banned Tamil Tigers, which no serious observer will buy despite the media publicity to her case.

 Yours sincerely,

 Mahinda Gunasekera

 84 Tambrook Drive
Agincourt, Ontario
M1W 3L9
Tel. (416) 498-0783