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‘Hardcore’ Tamil Tigers aboard B.C.-bound ship, Sri Lankan paper says
A ship carrying over 200 Sri Lankan migrants — including “hardcore” leaders of the Tamil Tigers — is on its way to the B.C. coast, according to Sri Lanka’s Sunday Observer.
But David Poopalapillai of the Canadian-Tamil Congress cautioned Canadians against believing the state-owned paper’s claim that terrorists are aboard the MV Sun Sea, last spotted in the Gulf of Thailand two weeks ago. “We should not jump the gun,” said Poopalapillai. “The Sri Lankan government brands all Tamils as terrorists. If they come, they should be given due process.”
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ambra Dickie said it is aware of media reports about the vessel, but was unable to confirm the ship’s current whereabouts. Poopalapillai said the Canadian-Tamil community is “shocked” to hear reports of another people-smuggling ship because “we do not want people to risk their lives on this treacherous journey.”
Tamils remain a persecuted minority in Sri Lanka, he said, and many consider Canada a safe haven.
Last year, a vessel arrived off the B.C. coast with 76 asylum seekers. Immigration officials had voiced concerns they might be Tamil Tigers but later dropped those allegations. |
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