S. P. Tamilselvan, an internationally respected Peace negotiator for the Political Wing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was killed by the Sri Lankan Air Force.
The Canadian Tamil Congress is profoundly saddened and deeply hurt on hearing this heartbreaking and painful news.
Tamilselvan was the chief negotiator for various peace talks with the Sri Lankan state since 1994. He voiced the concerns of the Tamil community at the Peace Talks with a clear unwavering commitment and determination to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
Many prominent international leaders, diplomats and media personal met with Tamilselvan regularly basis. He also met with Canadian elected officials from all political parties and members from the Forum of Federation to work towards a negotiated political settlement for the civil war in Sri Lanka.
"In the past, Mr. Tamilselvan had met with notable Canadians such as Bob Rae and Professor David Cameron to discuss peaceful solutions to the crisis in Sri Lanka." says David Poopalapillai spokesperson for Canadian Tamil Congress.
"To deliberately target a peace negotiator sends a clear message that the Sri Lankan government is not even interested in talking about neither in peace nor in negotiations." Poopalapillai added.
Tamilselvan had traveled to many countries and brought awareness about the plight of Tamils in the hands of the oppressive regime in Sri Lanka. He worked tirelessly to expose the human rights violations committed against the Tamils in Sri Lanka to the world community.
Canadian Tamil Congress extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of Mr. Tamilselvan.
We believe that this deliberate and cruel action of the Sri Lankan government shuts the door for a negotiated solution. The Sri Lankan State has demonstrated its unwillingness to commit to peace by taking the life of a strong political leader of Tamils.
Canadian Tamil Congress unequivocally condemns this despicable act of aggression by the Sri Lankan government in killing the chief negotiator of the Tamils.
We urge the Canadian government and elected representatives to condemn this act and to pressure the Sri Lankan government to abandon its military aggression on the Tamils.
We request the Canadian government to exert diplomatic pressure on Sri Lanka to respect Human Rights and to engage in negotiations towards peaceful political solution.
