http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201201/20120113no_discrimination_against_tamils_sl.htm


No discrimination against Tamils in SL - Canadian MPs

Normalcy has returned to all areas including the North and East and there is no discrimination against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, stated a Canadian Parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka assessing the Post- conflict Reconciliation and Developments in the country.
The delegation following their visit to the Northern Province appreciated the government’s role in reconciliation, reconstruction and infrastructure development programmes implemented in the Northern Province. They also commended education, health and employment opportunities being provided by the government to the people of the North and East to open a window of opportunity to engage in their normal life after three decades of conflict.
The delegation also explored prospects for trade and investment in the Northern Province.
In a media interview on 10th January, the delegation stated that Sri Lanka should be given time and space to effectively implement the recommendations made by the LLRC that would give an opportunity to create a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
The Canadian Parliamentarians admitted that funds are collected in Canada by the Tamil Diaspora with the promise that the monies will be expended productively for the welfare and wellbeing of the people in the North and East of Sri Lanka. However, they have observed in the course of their interactions with the people in the North that the latter do not receive such financial assistance from the Diaspora in Canada.
The Parliamentary members thanked the Acting Minister of External Affairs, Neomal Perera for inviting them to visit Sri Lanka and for giving them the opportunity to experience firsthand, the ground situation in the North, and the post conflict developments in these areas.
They were optimistic that Sri Lanka will be able to move forward and achieve prosperity for all Sri Lankans.
The Acting Minister thanked the Canadian Parliamentarians for visiting Sri Lanka and for the encouraging sentiments expressed by them. The Acting Minster also requested the delegates to brief their fellow parliamentarians on the progress taking place in Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict which they witnessed themselves during the visit.
The Canadian Parliamentary delegation visited Sri Lanka from 8th to 11th January, 2012.