Tamil Diaspora lobby influenced it - SL envoy

By Kelum Bandara   

In the wake of Canada snapping targetted sanctions on four Sri Lankans including former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada Harsha Nawaratne said it had been done as a result of the lobby of the Tamil Diaspora groups which insisted on action against Sri Lanka on accountability issues during war time. 

The Sri Lankan envoy said the Diaspora groups, in their interactions with him, raised their concern on two particular cases- the release of Commodore D.K.P. Dasanayake from the case over alleged abductions and kidnappings and the incident of killing of five school children in Trincomalee.   

“The Diaspora groups were concerned about these two matters in particular. They were raising accountability issues. I interacted with them and briefed them about steps being taken for reconciliation. A section of the Diaspora is very accommodative. They are happy with what we do. But, others are not,” Mr. Nawaratne told Daily Mirror.   

Asserting that Canada is home to around 350,000 Tamils of Sri Lankan origin, he said it was an influential vote base.   

“I even talked to parliamentarian Gary Anandasangari (Sri Lankan Canadian Tamil). He was not convinced on steps regarding accountability matters,” the Sri Lankan envoy said.   
Nawaratne said he would push for bilateral dialogue with Canada to address outstanding concerns based on instructions to be given by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.