The war is over but the acts of hatred continue

Much to the dismay of my Pro-LTTE brethren who hail from Sri Lanka the civil war is over. There are no LTTE Terrorist controlled areas in Sri Lanka and there certainly is no de facto terrorist run governing authority in the East and the North of the country anymore.

The Sri Lankan government forces won, took back control of Sri Lanka and expunged the country of what LTTE scum they could find. Lets face it the civil unrest in Sri Lanka is at another stage. The main guns behind the war are now contesting Presidential Elections even: Mahinda is saying he wants to stay on and 'develop' the country and Sarath says he's contesting because wants to abolish the executive presidency and public corruption. But I digress, that is another can of worms altogether, lets get back to Toronto:

There was an uneasy tension in the air between the pro-LTTE elements in Toronto and the Sinhalese minority after the country was unified but I thought it was getting better? I thought Pro-LTTE elements were adapting to the new situation and were looking to democratically bring about a solution to the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka?

Things in my world certainly were slowly coming back around. The round-the-clock mid-night patrols by citizen vigilantes at the various Buddhist temples ended; and I quietly started making my way back into the various Tamil bakeries and kottu shops, for social unrest or not you can't really grudge a Sri Lankan access to a decent kottu and lampris feed now can you?

But exactly does this recent act of hatred mean? Is this a response to Sarath announcing his intention to contest the upcoming Presidential elections? Does this mean more acts of random terror will follow? Are more Sinhalese Buddhist temples to be attacked cowardly overnight? Are more Sinhalese restaurant owners to be intimidated? And to what end?

The LTTE Terrorist Organization victimized Sinhalese and Tamils back in Sri Lankan through acts of random terror and it looks like their goons are doing the same here in Canada.

Pacifists wanted. Flag waving louts: hang on a bit please....

I agree, the defeat of the LTTE militarily is without doubt is the best thing that has happened in Sri Lanka's in recent history. However what's with the louts and their flag waving ways people?

I understand the jubilation and the need to express elation at finally being rid of the terrorist that was on everyone's back. If I were in Sri Lanka I'd probably feel happy too and like most, might smile benevolently at the local banda's staggering about waving flags and lighting fireworks; but really is that stuff helping anyone?

I mean crowds of predominantly Sinhalese and Muslim crowds driving around Sri Lanka chanting pro-government slogan and taunting the LTTE is at best intimidation; is it not? It can't be nurturing towards the fragile peace in Sri Lanka can it? It can't be nurturing towards a promised democratic solution to the conflict can it?

Lets say I'm Tamil, and lets say I supported the LTTE and lets pretend for a minute that I also lived in Canada. I'd be super pissed at the fact that something I believed in so strongly was destroyed and I'd want revenge. Since, unlike in Sri Lanka I'd be part of the majority here in Canada, the roles would be reversed and I'd want to drive around Toronto shoving my foot up the ass of every flag waving drunk Sri Lankan I'd come across or at the very least; since the police here would squash me like a bug if I really did do that, I'd want to wake up in the middle of the night and stealthy firebomb the local Buddhist temple or a restaurant or two wouldn't I, Eh? Okay, sorry, I'm exaggerating. What's happening in Sri Lanka isn't as bad or as cowardly, but you all get the drift right?

Celebrations are great, a bit patronizing towards the defeated perhaps, and in regards to the big picture in Sri Lanka are maybe uncalled for; but Banda's will be banda's, and I suppose it had to be worked out of their systems. Arrack was for the drinking and flags were for the waving, however amidst the waves of celebratory flags I hope that everyone understands the second phase, the trickier more delicate phase of the peace process, is yet to begin?

What the Banda's need to realize is that the underlying reason for the civil war have to be met to the satisfaction of both parties in order for this delicate peace to be sustainable.

We can't take peace for granted, defeating the LTTE Terrorist group militarily was certainly a step towards the process; but its serves as no grantee. We need to reach out to the Tamil community and seek their advice. We need to show them that we are ready to listen to their concerns and give legitimacy to their suggestions.

Even more important than reaching out to the Tamil community in general; is perhaps reaching out to the pro-LTTE community in Sri Lanka as well as the pro-LTTE expatriates. The government of Sri Lanka and the people it represents, need to show these pro-LTTE elements that they are willing to provide them with a better alternative than what the LTTE Terrorists did. Only then will the peace and the promise of democracy that has spread over Sri Lanka like a nice fluffy duvet, be sustainable.

Duvets smell wonderful right out of the dryer, but they burn just as easily....We can't take peace for granted. We need to think beyond the military victory and hastily take the next step towards sustainable peace.

Arson at the Scarborough temple in Toronto

Arsonists set fire to the temple in Scarborough, Ontario this morning amidst news that the war in Sri Lanka was coming to an end. Its not really known whether the arsonists had prior knowledge of the latest developments in the Sri Lankan conflict, but despite the situation in Sri Lanka; regardless of whether the LTTE Terrorist leaders were encircled by the Sri Lankan army and were contemplating suicide or otherwise, setting fire to a temple building was low.

Its my understanding that the act was an act of frustration at the situation in Sri Lanka and a punitive effort at revenge against the Sinhalese community here in Toronto by pro-LTTE elements. I understand that pro-LTTE protesters in Toronto are skeptical of the news that the war in Sri Lanka is coming to an end; but they must really be frustrated if vandalizing a place of worship is to be their response to those events.

It serves no purpose, really and only deepens the divide amongst Sinhalese Canadians and Tamil Canadians here in Toronto. I'm glad the Sinhalese community is acting with restraint and lets hope that its only the extremist elements of the pro-LTTE supporters that endorse such acts. The majority of them will I hope, be more democratic as they interact with their fellow Sri Lankans here in Canada.

Ask the LTTE to grant the civilians safe passage

I just came across this video: True, its taken by Sri Lankan government forces but what it shows can not be denied.

The video shows the LTTE blocking civilians from crossing over to cleared areas and designated no-fire safe zones by firing at them.

WHY? aren't the red-LTTE terrorist flag waving protesters demonstrating at Queens park right now not talking about this? Why are they not demanding that individuals close to the LTTE terrorist organizers in Canada address such concerns and work to free the trapped civilians?

Genocide?

Protests in Toronto by pro-LTTE groups have been the rife these days and have really jumped into media view due to the disruption being caused to our city. Most Canadians don't really understand the reason for it, but swivel around and pay attention when they hear the word "Genocide" being brandied about by a crowd that's 12,000 strong.

Genocide? By whom? Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group. That's NOT what's happening in Sri Lanka although the red-LTTE terrorist flag waving individuals that are holding the city of Toronto hostage will tell you otherwise. What's happening in Sri Lankan is the entrapment of civilians in a war zone.

These civilians are unable to cross over to safe zones away from the fighting that is occurring between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE terrorists. They are trapped in-between the two groups and are caught in the cross fire.

So why aren't these civilians being allowed to leave and are escourted off the war front you ask? Why are they getting caught in the cross-fire? Well that's exactly what I want to ask the red-flag LTTE terrorist flag waving individuals that have been protesting at Queen's park all day today.

So far all fingers point to the the LTTE terrorists. The UN and other international 3rd party sources have verified that the civilians in the warzone are actively being prevented from leaving.

SO WHY?

Why doesn't the LTTE allow these civilians free passage to safer areas? Why are they actively contributing the the death of innocent civilians and why are the red LTTE flag waving protesters not demanding the Terrorist organization that they support; grant these individuals free passage to safer areas?

WHY are they clogging up our streets when in actuality its the LTTE terrorist group that is in actuality, actively causing all these civilians deaths?