| John Howard – protect the Australian Tamils from the ugly hands of the Sri Lankan State, AFTA |
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Australian Tamils, deeply disturbed by the recent developments in Australia, reportedly on the instigation of the Sinhala Chauvinist Government of Sri Lanka, writes to Prime Minister Hon. John Howard and seeked his help for protection. Australian Tamils also reiterated the need for Australian foreign policy towards Sri Lanka to be clean and not polluted by Former DAFT Officer Dr. Palitha Kohona, who is now advisor to war savy Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Full Text of the Letter sent by hundreds of Tamils Around Australia. Hon. John Howard MP Dear Prime Minister We the Australian Tamil community are deeply disturbed by the recent developments in Australia, reportedly on the instigation of the Sinhala Chauvinist Government of Sri Lanka. Since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, the Tamil people have been subjugated by the successive Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinistic governments. Many Tamils including us in Australia escaped the genocide, seeking safety in the western world. It now appears that the poisonous tentacles of the notorious racist Sri Lankan State have reached the Australian shores. They and the Sinhala extremists in Australia are posing a threat to our peaceful existence in our newly found home. These elements have embarked on a demonising campaign of the Tamil diaspora with the political motive of blocking any humanitarian relief provided to our brethren in the North-East of Sri Lanka who are subject to severe economic blockade and human rights abuse. It is well known, that more than two thirds of the people killed and displaced in Sri Lanka, by the Dec. 2004 tsunami were from the Northeast. But, it is sad, most of the foreign aid were utilised in the South where more than 75% of the affected people have been re-settled, while the money allocated for the Northeast is being held-up due to the Sri Lankan Government’s indifference, and less than 30% of the affected people in the Northeast have been resettled so far. It reinforces, the survivors of the tsunami in the northeast are solely dependent on the international NGO’s and the Tamil Diaspora for their survival. We are deeply disturbed to learn that a Sri Lankan Health Minister, Mr Sripala de Silva and the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona visited Australia a few weeks ago and reportedly met with the Australian Law Enforcement Agencies with mere allegations to demonise the Australian Tamils. We understand the intention of this exercise is to demonise the legitimate Tamil struggle for self-determination and to beat the Tamil nation in Sri Lanka into submission. The Foreign Secretary Mr Palitha Kohana’s recent statements to the Press appear to give credence to these fears. Mr Kohona has stated that “We have been talking to Australian authorities for the last few months and we’ve been following developments in the investigation for some time now.” It is also very disturbing to hear from a Foreign Secretary about the next possible action by the Australian Law Enforcement Agencies on the Australian Tamils. We the Australian Tamils who migrated seeking safety of the Australian Government, believe in the much cherished Australian values of upholding human rights, fair play, mateship and speaking up for the underdog. Keeping in line with these values, we are sure that you will appreciate our right to raise the blatant violations of human rights of our brethren in Sri Lanka and provide humanitarian assistance to the needy. We Tamil Australians are a peaceful, law abiding and hardworking people who are loyal to this country. We believe in sharing our rich Tamil heritage and contributing immensely to the well being of the wider Australian society to our fullest capacity. As Australian Tamils we deserve Australian Government’s protection from the interference and intimidation coming from the racist Sri Lankan State and the Sinhala extremists. Therefore, we appeal to you to protect the Australian Tamils from the ugly hands of the Sri Lankan State and their agents and would appreciate an early meeting with our community leaders to discuss our concerns in person. |
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