In the past few
decades I have been accused of being a LTTE supporter by parochial,
politically illiterate villagers and crazy Sinhala chauvinists. But I
never knew such backward thinking could exist in officials of Western
diplomatic missions. Mr C
McKinney, first secretary, immigration, of the Canadian high
commission, while rejecting my application for a visit visa, has
explained in detail the reason for his decision.
His letter dated 18 September 2008 is a valuable asset to my
revolutionary carreer. He says,
“I
have completed my assessment of your application and have determined
that you do not meet with the requirements for a temporary resident
visa.”
Actually I
requested a visit visa to participate in a seminar scheduled for the
13th and 14th of this month as one of the invited speakers. As of
present, the date has long since passed. But the interesting thing in
this incredible letter is his assessment. He explains further:
“it has been reported that you have publicly participated in LTTE propaganda activities by personally and knowingly attending and speaking at pro-LTTE events such as Pongu Thamil in Madrid and London. In addition, you have publicly announced your support for B Nadesan. As a prominent member of a political party that has historically and consistently shown support for the LTTE we can conclude that your actions constitute membership in the LTTE. As a result of your membership in this organisation you are inadmissible to Canada pursuant to section 34 of the Act and therefore I am refusing your application.”
LTTE supporter
In the past few
decades I have been accused of being a LTTE supporter by parochial,
politically illiterate villagers and crazy Sinhala chauvinists. But I
never knew such backward thinking could exist in officials of Western
diplomatic missions.
However, I
must not forget that the mathematician GÖdel proved that any
formal system is either incomplete or else it would be inconsistent.
Also, black holes can exist anywhere. So I should not be surprised to
find a Neanderthal among Canadian bureaucrats!
“Historically
and consistently” I have defended the right of self determination of
the Tamil nationality.
At the
same time I have campaigned together, depending on the necessity of the
occasion, with Sirimavo and Vijaya in 1987, with Mahinda in 1992, with
Wimal Weerawansa in 1999 and formed the Vama Sama with the help of
Mangala in 2002.
Does that
make me a supporter of Sirimavo, Vijaya, Mahinda, Weerwansa and
Mangala?
Of course
I supported the ISGA document put forward by the LTTE, as a valid
document to start discussions for an appointed interim administration
for the Tamil homeland. Later when the tsunami reconstruction bill came
I supported it as a good starting point for collaboration among all
communities.
I am at a loss to understand how this man concluded that I was a supporter of the LTTE. I thought I was an orthodox Marxist revolutionary. How can I at the same time, be a member of a Tamil nationalist bourgeois party limited to Tamil liberation?
I sent the
following answer:
"Thank you for your letter dated 18 September 2008, which I found quite amusing.