“The university recognizes the principle in law of the presumption of innocence,” explained Kevin Crowley, Associate Director of Public Affairs at Laurier, the paper said. “As long as there’s no immediate danger to surrounding students, the university assumes that the allegations are just allegations,” Mr Crowly added.

Dean of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) and Chair of the SBE Award Committee Ginny Dybenko said that he was selected because he met the strict criteria and was weighed fairly against the other candidates, according to the campus paper.

“He’s just been an exemplary role model on all levels,” the paper quoted Dybenko as saying.

Source : TamilNet


WLU supports accused student
Keren Gottfried  May 28, 2008
http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/myweb.php?hls=10034&news_id=1751

Laurier MBA student Suresh Sriskandarajah is a "role model," according to professors and peers

Wilfrid Laurier University staff, professors and students are in strong support of the decision to award a prestigious new entrepreneurship prize to a student accused of acts of terrorism.

The award winner in question is Suresh Sriskandarajah, a Masters of Business Administration Student, who recently completed his education in engineering at th e University of Waterloo.

“The university recognizes the principle in law of the presumption of innocence,” explained Kevin Crowley, Associate Director of Public Affairs at Laurier.

“As long as there’s no immediate danger to surrounding students, the university assumes that the allegations are just allegations.”

The CIBC Leaders in Entrepreneurship is in its inaugural year, and is designed to recognize a student that “demonstrate(s) active involvement in entrepreneurial activity” with an award of $5,000. The criteria also include academic performance and financial need.

Dean of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) and Chair of the SBE Award Committee Ginny Dybenko said that he was selected because he met the strict criteria and was weighed fairly against the other candidates.

“The individual that I have encountered is a person that’s not only very intelligent, and very socially aware, but in addition to that he is applying energy to make the school a better place,” Dybenko explained.

“He’s just been an exemplary role model on all levels,” she noted.

Dr. Hugh Munro, MBA Programs Director at Laurier and one of Sriskandarajah’s professors, describes the allegations as a “big cloud that hangs over him that is holding him back.

“As an institution I think we have no other way to judge it other than what he brings, how he acts and behaves, and he has been nothing but professional with us and for us,” said Munro.

Dave Mann, an MBA student and friend of Sriskandarajah, said he and his peers have been helped by him even with simple tasks like setting up Internet and photographing their softball team, noting that when drinking events were held, Sriskandarajah always acted as the designated driver.
“He’s pretty much the link between the professors and the students,” said Chris Dutra, another classmate. “You got a problem with anything, go see Suresh and he’ll make sure something gets done about it.”

MBA student Ben Crane has heard of the alleged links of his peer to the Tamil Tigers, a militant freedom organization described as a terrorist group by many countries.

“It’s something that seems to be blown up, from what all the students are talking about. He’s kind of caught up in something that didn’t really involve him all that much,” said Crane.

Sriskandarajah faces charges of terrorism and links to the Tamil Tigers, and will be tried for extradition to the United States in 2009. His charges include laundering money and smuggling goods to Sri Lanka.

Sriskandarajah was contacted but would not provide a comment except through his lawyer, John Norris of Ruby and Edwardh in Toronto.
“He denies the allegations that are being made against him by the United States,” said Norris.

“He intends to resist the request for his extradition and in the meantime, he has been dedicating his time to his studies,” he added.

Although hesitant to speculate, Norris said that he expects the proceedings to go on for possibly another year after the hearing in January.

“I think what we have to do is just ride it out, provide him all the support that we possibly can, within the context of all that he’s done for us,” noted Dybenko. “It’s a wait and see.”

In the meantime, Dr. Munro stated he hopes it will all be resolved.

“If you were to think of the kinds of ways people can contribute, he’s done them all,” he added. “That’s the Suresh I know.”