“Sam Rajendran, The president of the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association addressing the participants stated that the “CDTCA is committed to contribute towards a negotiated political settlement that would bring a peaceful and lasting resolution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and one of the ways in which this objective could be achieved is to hold cultural and community events to bring all Sri Lankans together in a spirit of harmony and goodwill.”_______________________________
(April 16, Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sinhala and Tamil communities in Canada celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New year on the 13th of April, 2008 in Toronto, in a spirit of harmony and goodwill.
This Grand Cultural show was organized by the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association, which is a community organization working to promote democracy and pluralism in the Tamil community in Ontario and to foster friendship and understanding with other Sri Lankan communities and the Canadian mainstream. The highlight of the celebration was the Cultural Pageant, which presented Bharatha Natiyam and Kandyan Dances displaying ethnic harmony.
A capacity crowd of 520 people from the Sri Lankan Community in Toronto participated in these celebrations and the significant factor was the participation of an equal number from both Sinhala and Tamil communities and the presence of members from the Muslim, Malay and Burgher Communities.
Mr. Sam Rajendran, The president of the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association addressing the participants stated that the “CDTCA is committed to contribute towards a negotiated political settlement that would bring a peaceful and lasting resolution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and one of the ways in which this objective could be achieved is to hold cultural and community events to bring all Sri Lankans together in a spirit of harmony and goodwill.
Mr. Mahinda Gunasekera and Day Hettiarachchi, senior members of the Sinhala Community were present at this Cultural Show. Mr. Bandula Jayasekera, the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Toronto graced the occasion.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa is proud to have been the mentor of this project.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
I hope the Sri Lankan government can do the same as Sam Rajendran to include \ accept Tamils as their bothers and sisters
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa was not at all the mentor of this project and the Toronto Consulate General had nothing to do with the New Year celebration. This programme was organised by the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association, which consists of
individuals who beleive that the two communities could live in a spirit of harmony and goodwill in Toronto as well as Sri Lanka.
It is a good start in uniting the people of Srilankan origion who are living in Canada.Once more thanks for the organizers who are guided by an correct ideology.
Shame on you Sirs!! The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Ottawa and Mr. Bandula Jayasekera for trying to get credit for someone else's original idea that was not intended for cheap publicity, but was conceived with earnestness for the betterment of ALL Sri-Lankans. Funny...we never saw you guys there!
In addition, you did a major diservice to all those people who worked hard, spending their own money to make it happen.
This was a great event of coming together of people from different communities. We have to thank the organizers for dropping all symbolism that divides people. It is too much to suggest that SL highcommision has some good ideas.
If they had, the problems would have been solved many years ago. Anyway,let everybody wanting peace be mentored by these orgainzers.
I agree with the previous commentator. The program didn't have any of the usual symbols that have become sort of mandatory in any Sri Lankan function. Such sanctimonious gestures only divide the people. The organizers were brave enough not to have the lion flag, national anthem or the mandatory observation of one minute silence. As such it was a unique and novel conception, and was well received by the audience. Many Sinhalese too - including me - felt a sense of liberation in that ambience. If in fact the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa mentored the organizers as it shamelessly claims, the future of Sri Lanka is bright indeed. That means the Sri Lankan government is now adopting a more enlightened policy and directing its diplomats to display the pluralism and the multi-ethnic nature of Sri Lankan society in their activities abroad. And Consulate General Mr. Bandula Jayasekera graced such an event by his presence. Bravo !
Jagath Gunathilake
Tamil Traitors Sam Rajendran and Benedit will face the reality very soon.
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