• Latest
  • Trending
Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting

Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting

November 28, 2021
Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

March 28, 2023
Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

March 28, 2023
Exchange Rate

Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

March 28, 2023
Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

March 28, 2023
Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

March 27, 2023
Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

March 27, 2023
Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

Gold prices in Sri Lanka

March 27, 2023
India - Sri Lanka

Travel to India in 50$?

March 27, 2023
IPL2023

BCCI to ban Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players from IPL?

March 27, 2023
Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

Qatar’s Al Thani submits new US$6 billion bid for Manchester United

March 26, 2023
Permission granted for anyone to sell goods on the roadside during festive season – Minister

Permission granted for anyone to sell goods on the roadside during festive season – Minister

March 26, 2023
Towards a sustainable Sri Lankan foreign policy

Towards a sustainable Sri Lankan foreign policy

March 26, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

    Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

    Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

    Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

    Exchange Rate

    Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

    Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

    Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

    Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

    Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

    Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

    Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

    Gold prices in Sri Lanka

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

    IPL2023

    BCCI to ban Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players from IPL?

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Qatar’s Al Thani submits new US$6 billion bid for Manchester United

    Ramadan. Image credits - Andrew Lancaster / Unsplash

    Ramadan 2023: Fasting hours and iftar times around the world

    Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin

    China calls on Western lenders to ease debt pressure on developing countries

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Ukraine

    IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 bln program

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Manchester United is for sale, who could buy the world-famous club?

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

    Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

    Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

    Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

    Exchange Rate

    Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

    Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

    Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

    Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

    Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

    Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

    Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

    Gold prices in Sri Lanka

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

    IPL2023

    BCCI to ban Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players from IPL?

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Qatar’s Al Thani submits new US$6 billion bid for Manchester United

    Ramadan. Image credits - Andrew Lancaster / Unsplash

    Ramadan 2023: Fasting hours and iftar times around the world

    Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin

    China calls on Western lenders to ease debt pressure on developing countries

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Ukraine

    IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 bln program

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Manchester United is for sale, who could buy the world-famous club?

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Ethnicity

Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting

Editor by Editor
November 28, 2021
in Ethnicity, Politics, Recommend, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, Separatism, Islamic Terrorism, Eastern Province, c, Uncategorized, United States
Reading Time: 12 mins read
32 0
A A
Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting

Radical Tamils carrying LTTE flags protesting against Lankan MP

32
SHARES
Share on WhatsApp

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj/Daily Mirror

Toronto, November 27: Last Saturday (Nov. 20) saw a group of self-styled political activists  create a ruckus and disrupt  a public meeting in the Scarborough  area of Toronto City in Canada. The incident -though distorted and misreported in sections  of the media – received wide publicity in Sri Lanka. Moreover it has generated a multi-faceted debate through social media within and outside Sri Lanka. This is because the  Toronto fracas involved Sri Lankan Tamils and Canadian Tamils of Sri Lankan origin. The event organizers, audience, troublemakers and their targets were all Tamils. In short it was a homegrown “Lankan Tamil tussle” transplanted on Canadian soil.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates from around the world

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nov. 20 meeting was organized by the Canada Tamil National Alliance (CTNA). The chief speakers were two Tamil  National  Alliance MP’s from Sri Lanka. They were Jaffna district MP Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran and Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Ragul Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam. A group consisting mainly of men and a few women carrying the tiger flags of the  proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) and placards  engaged in a protest outside the meeting venue. Although slogans were shouted against both the Tamil MP’s,  the primary or  main target  of the demonstration was Sumanthiran. The placards almost exclusively attacked the Jaffna MP who is also the TNA spokesperson. The protest demonstration was supposedly staged by an outfit calling itself “Canadia Thamizhar Munnani” (Canadian Tamil Front)

Some of the  disruptive elements had infiltrated the meeting hall as part of the audience. They were joined in stages later  by others. Shaanakiyan spoke without much disturbance. He received loud applause. But when Sumanthiran began speaking there was a lot of commotion. Despite the presence of private security personnel as well as Police officers , chaotic conditions prevailed. Pandemonium reigned.Sumanthiran  was “compelled” to wind up  his speech early. The meeting ended abruptly.

READ: Sri Lankan President says many unpopular decisions will have to be taken for country’s future

Real Reason for TNA Visit

As stated earlier the Toronto incident has received and continues to receive mainstream media publicity. There are also multiple posts and related discussions over social media. What is sad about this episode is that a disgusting sideshow enacted by a mob claiming to be tigers or LTTE affiliates has taken the focus away from more important issues. The targeting of MA Sumanthiran and to a lesser extent Shanakiyan Rasamanickam by tigerish elements in Canada has diverted attention from the real reason for the visit by both TNA parliamentarians to North America.

Sumanthiran has in the past made several trips o the US and Canada. This visit was the first he made to North America after being  re-elected as Jaffna district MP at the 2020 August poll. Likewise, it was also the first trip to North America for Shanakiyan as a Sri Lankan parliamentarian. Shanakiyan was elected MP for the first time at last year’s election. An important point to note is that Sumanthiran topped the preference votes gained by TNA candidates in the Jaffna administrative district while Shanakiyan did the same in the Batticaloa administrative district. As such there was much interest among TNA supporters within the global Tamil Diaspora to interact with the  MP’s from the North and the East.

READ: Indian, Lankan and Maldivian navies conduct exercise

The highlight of the UK visit,  Sumanthiran and Shanakkiyan met  with  Lord Ahmad – Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth

As is well known the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is the premier political configuration representing the Tamils of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. The TNA, comprising the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi(ITAK), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) and the Peoples  Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam(PLOTE) has ten MP’s  from all the five North Eastern electoral  districts in the current Parliament.  Six of the ten MP’s are from the ITAK while the TELO and  PLOTE have three and one each respectively. The TNA contests elections under the House symbol of the ITAK. Therefore the visit of two TNA parliamentarians evoked much interest among members of the Tamil Dispora.  Many wanted to meet them.

READ: Have the explosions claimed the first victim?

Three Member TNA Delegation

However the primary purpose of the trip to North America by Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan was not to meet Diaspora supporters. It had a more important objective. Sumanthiran led a  three-member TNA delegation for discussions on Constitutional and legal issues with US officials in Washington and UN Officials in New York. “Legal Eagle” Kanaganayagam  Kanag -Isvaran PC and Law Professor Dr. Nirmala Chandrahasan were the other members of the TNA team.. The former is the son of  All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) ex – Senator S. R. Kanaganayagam while the latter is the daughter and daughter -in- law of Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) Co-founders and former MP’s Dr. E.M.V. Naganathan and S.J. V. Chelvanayagam QC respectively.

Representatives of Tamil Diaspora Organisations from the USA, Canada, UK and Australia were also associated with the TNA  in discussions  with officials in the US. Incidently the TNA in Sri Lanka has much support among sections of the Tamil Diaspora in these four countries namely  Canada,UK, Australia and the USA. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam was not part of the official TNA delegation to the USA and was not involved in talks. However, Shanakiyan undertook a private visit to the USA to meet with relatives, friends, well-wishers and supporters.

READ: How the British looted books & manuscripts from Ceylon

“Rising Star” of Tamil Politics.

Both Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan were engaged in another political mission after the talks concluded in the US. Both  were scheduled to have talks with   Foreign ministry officials relevant to Sri Lanka and a cross-section of Parliamentarians in Canada and the UK.  The visits to Canada and Britain were arranged with the blessings of the respective envoys in Colombo, High Commissioners David McKinnon of Canada and Sarah Hulton of the UK. There has been much regard for Sumanthiran among the diplomatic corps in Colombo which feels comfortable in communicating and interacting with the MP who is also the ITAK secretary in charge of legal, Constitutional and Diplomatic affairs. Keen interest was also evinced by the two High Commissioners that the “rising star” of Tamil politics, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam should accompany Sumanthiran to Ottawa and London.

READ: Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia call for “reformed” or “true” multilateralism

Meeting Lord Tariq Ahmad

Available news reports indicate that the Official engagements of the Sumanthiran-Shanakiyan duo  in Canada and  Britain have been rather fruitful. They held talks in separate meetings with  12 Canadian MP’s and several officials of Global Affairs, Canada but were unable to meet with the new Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. The two TNA parliamentarians also engaged in talks with British Foreign Ministry   officials but not  with Liz Truss the secretary of Sate for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs. However, in what was perhaps the highlight of the UK visit,  Sumanthiran and Shanakkiyan met with  Lord Ahmad – Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth. Lord  Tariq Ahmad was to tweet about the meeting later saying “We discussed upholding human rights, pos-conflict accountability and reconciliation, as well as the importance of respecting the rights of all minorities”. More meetings with UK officials and MP’s are reportedly in the pipeline.

The meetings, discussions and talks held by the TNA in the USA, Canada and UK are of great political significance. The USA that  withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council under President Donald Trump is back with a bang in Geneva under President Joe Biden. It was the US which spearheaded efforts at the UNHRC in Geneva to pass resolutions on Sri Lanka. The UK and Canada are part of the Core Group of Six Countries responsible for the latest resolution on Sri Lanka at the  UNHRC. The focus of the Western nations in the past has been on accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka. They have not dwelt too much on a  power sharing political solution or a negotiated settlement.

In what appeared to be an unwritten understanding  there seemed to have been a division of labour between the West and India relating to Sri Lanka. Hitherto it was Sri Lanka’s big neighbour India that focused on the need for power sharing and a political  solution. New Delhi’s Sri Lanka  policy rests on the twin pillars of   unity and territorial integrity  of Sri Lanka on the one hand and power-sharing through greater devolution  on the other.  The  Latest UNHRC resolution (46/1) passed in March this year concerns itself with Human Rights and Political settlement issues. There seems to be a  convergence between Indian and Western  approaches towards Sri Lanka.

READ: Chinese-built social housing complex a boon for Maldivians

Shifting Global Power Equations

Moreover there are shifts in global power equations with the US and key Western Nations finding common cause in combatting the  aggressive global power China. Furthermore, India, Japan and Australia together with the US have formed the QUAD with the aim of containing  China’s growing ambitions in the Asia-pacific region. Though too early to predict,  there is a possibility that the USA  and India may work in tandem to bring about a lasting solution in  Sri Lanka.

What the TNA is trying to do is to hasten this process. The TNA in talks in the US, Canada and UK  has emphasized the need for these countries to focus on evolving a political settlement also without jettisoning involvement in accountability issues. At the same time the TNA is sensitive to India’s concerns about greater Western involvement also. The Indian High Commissions in Colombo and London have already been kept informed of matters in ths regard. In addition MA Sumanthiran met with the Indian Ambassador  to the US Taranjit  Singh Sandhu in Washington and informed him on the progress in the on-going discussions. The TNA parliamentarian also met with the Indian ambassador to the  United Nations , T. S. Tiruimurti, in New York and briefed him of the talks in the US. Both envoys were reportedly supportive of the TNA’s discussions in the US. Incidentally, both Sandhu and Tirumurty have been diplomats in Sri Lanka serving as High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner respectively.

Sumanthiran’s Politico-Diplomatic Initiatives

All these initiatives by  MA Sumanthiran  are indicative of the politico–diplomatic change of direction being pursued by the TNA with the sanction and blessings of veteran leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan. These matters will be delved into in greater detail in a forthcoming article. However. the references to the discussions in the US, Canada and UK with special mention of Sumanthiran  is to draw attention to the major objective of the  TNA in visiting these countries. Sumanthiran’s key task has been to interact with officials and political representatives of the US, Canada and UK and press the case for a greater role by the West in forging a  durable political solution based on maximum devolution. At the same time he had be to be mindful of India’s sensitivity in this respect.  It is a difficult, tightrope walking exercise. The information available at this juncture indicates that Sumanthiran has performed well so far.

As this writer stated earlier the fundamental objective of the Sumanthiran-Shanakiyan visit to Canada was to engage in talks with officials and MP’s in Ottawa. This has been done. The dividends gained by the TNA in these political ventures in the US, Canada and UK will be known in the days to come. As for now, it is a case of mission accomplished.  Engaging with members of the Canadian Tamil Diaspora was only a related secondary act. However, the ruckus created by a mob claiming to be  LTTE or LTTE supporters has been a sideshow diverting focus from the sublime to the ridiculous.

It is important to note that the disruption of the TNA meeting in Toronto was not an isolated act. Although both Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan were targeted , the real quarry of the protesters was the Jaffna MP and not the Batticaloa parliamentarian. Shanakiyan himself acknowledged this fact during his Toronto speech by referring in lighter vein to the saying in Tamil about gingelly/Indian sesame seeds drying in the sun to become oil.  The sole intention of the “Canadian  Tamil Front” protesters was to prevent Sumnthiran from speaking and if possible tarnish his reputation. Again it must be recognized that the  “Toronto Turmoil” was only part of a deliberate pattern of attacks against Sumanthiran in the past.

Sumanthiran has been viciously criticized by  Tamil politicians within and outside his party. He is the favourite whipping boy of rowdy elements masquerading as  Tamil media personnel in Sri Lanka and abroad. The MP who was twice elected by the voters of Jaffna is constantly attacked by Tamil Diasporic elements posing as Eelamist patriots.  Several abortive assassination attempts – financed by  “tigers” in the Diaspora-  have been made on his life.  Since I have written extensively on such matters in the past, I will refrain from elaborating further in this respect.

In the current context, Sumanthiran was the target of vituperative attacks and hostile propaganda from the time it was known that he was leading a TNA delegation to the US. Some of the attacks were extremely puerile. It was stated that there were no official talks and that Sumanthiran was undertaking a personal joy ride at his own expense. When news of meetings with US officials became known, attempts were made to undermine them as being talks of no consequence held with inconsequential officials.

Today the  Canada TNA  is firmly backing the TNA in Sri Lanka in the quest for a negotiated settlement that would provide equal rights for the Tamils in the Island and maximum devolution for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. It has also contributed generously to  projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the War affected north and east of Sri Lanka

Lots of “Muttai” on Their Faces

When official tweets were put out by the US, confirming the nature and scope of the talks a lot of  Sumanthiran’s Tamil  detractors were left with lots of “Muttai” on their faces. Chief among these was a  “lotus king” personality based in the US who heads a single member letter-head organization with fluctuating claims of being supportive of Hilary Clinton, John Mccain, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

It was against this backdrop of a successful political mission to the US that Sumanthiran arrived in Canada. Among events organized in Canada was a public meeting in the Scarborough area of Toronto featuring both MP’s as speakers.  A pro-tiger outfit held a protest demonstration outside the venue and later disrupted the meeting. Much has been reported about the controversial event but not all of it he reports are true or correct. Before narrating in detail about what exactly happened on November 20,  I want to provide some background details.

Canada Tamil National Alliance 

The Tamil National Alliance functioning in Canada is not a branch of the Sri Lankan TNA but an autonomous entity registered as a charitable organization in Canada. Formed in 2010, it bears the name  Canada Tamil National Alliance. The members of the TNA in Canada are basically supporters and well-wishers of the TNA in Sri Lanka. Most of the membership comprises persons who were members or supporters of the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi(ITAK) and/or the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) while living in Sri Lanka. Some of them supported the Liberation Tigers of  Tamil Eelam(LTTE) in Canada when the war was going on.

Today the  Canada TNA  is firmly backing the TNA in Sri Lanka in the quest for a negotiated settlement that would provide equal rights for the Tamils in the Island and maximum devolution for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. It has also contributed generously to projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the War affected north and east of Sri Lanka. The President and driving force behind the TNA in Canada is Veluppillai Thangavelu a retired accountant. The secretary and treasurer are  Vasanthakumar Thambirajah and  Nageswaran Nadarajah respectively. The Canada TNA has a 15 member executive committee inclusive of the President, Secretary and Treasurer.

For similar articles, join our Telegram channel for the latest updates. – click here

Tags: DisturbedShanakyanSri LankaSumanthiranTorontoo

Related Posts

Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day
Bangladesh

Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo celebrates 52 nd. National Day

March 28, 2023
Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar
Around South Asia

Sri Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

March 28, 2023
Exchange Rate
Around South Asia

Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

March 28, 2023
Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world
China

Role of Diasporas in the contemporary world

March 28, 2023
Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market
Around South Asia

Three foreign firms to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market

March 27, 2023
Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  
Around South Asia

Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism bill has significant flaws  

March 27, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60152 shares
    Share 24083 Tweet 15029
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6636 shares
    Share 2692 Tweet 1644
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1797 shares
    Share 725 Tweet 447
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    789 shares
    Share 328 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi