The post Ignoring the human rights of disabled students… appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>JAY KOBLOVSKY
Disability Advocate/Policy Analyst/Sometimes Epic DJ
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is no stranger to ignoring the human rights of students underneath its care, let alone their parents as well. In 2016, the Province of Ontario had to step in to investigate allegations of systemic racism not just within board and political leadership but by staff as well. The board was eventually taken to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal where the tribunal ordered an apology to a black woman who was called the “n” word by a YRDSB trustee, along with this woman’s children being racially discriminated against by staff. The provincial investigators later recommended that The York Region District School Board put into place an “independent” human rights office to assist with defending the board against human rights claims. A move that the Ontario Ombudsman completely signed off on.
The post Ignoring the human rights of disabled students… appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers on 12 February appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>Today, the International Community joins together against the conscription of children in armed conflicts as child soldiers. As per UN reports, at present thousands of children have been conscripted as child soldiers in some countries violating all International covenants. In 2001, the UN Security Council sent a powerful message to the world that the recruitment and use of child soldiers would no longer be tolerated.
We, as the Sri Lankan expatriate community living in Ontario will never forget the forced conscription of innocent young children, as young as even nine years old, by the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from 1983 until the end of the conflict on 19 May 2009. It was a painful period for our nation as the LTTE not only carried out heinous crimes against our nation but conscripted more than 7000 children to the terrorist outfit. The so-called liberation movement for Tamil people forcibly recruited their own innocent Tamil children depriving of all their all rights. Due to innumerable record of heinous crimes including suicide attacks, attacks against civilians and places of worship, assassinating two world leaders, arms and human smuggling, child soldiering among other crimes, the LTTE was banned by UN, EU, USA, Canada, and India among other countries.
A brief history of crimes committed by the LTTE
i. LTTE launched massive propaganda to forcefully recruit children to its ‘Baby Brigade’ as the child soldiers unit was called. For this purpose, the LTTE surrounded schools and gave speeches of heroism to convert students to the LTTE, if not the children were abducted for forceful military training. Wealthy Tamil parents had an option to pay a ransom to the LTTE terrorist organization in lieu of giving the child to the LTTE. Other poor parents had no option but to weep as their young children were torn away from them by the LTTE. The innocent children were given many difficult tasks which included spying, building bunkers, manning bunkers and fighting at the front line and forced to be a suicide bomber.
ii. The Sri Lankan government forces were mindful of these tactics of the LTTE and rescued children and handed them over to government civil administration for rehabilitation and family re-union. During the final phase of the war in May 2009, 12,000 were rescued, rehabilitated and re-united with their families within a very short span of time.
iii. During the rehabilitation period, the rescued children were provided free education, to sit for the University entrance exam. Many of the children who sat for those examinations are at present professionals and are working as engineers, doctors, accountants etc in Sri Lanka.
iv. All successive governments of Sri Lanka have ensured rights of children through free education from Grade 1 to 12 in schools since our independence in 1948. The following statistics and policies are provided.
– Free school uniforms, books and mid-day meal.
– At present there are 6,370 Sinhala medium, 3031 Tamil medium, 35 Sinhala and Tamil medium, 531 Sinhala and English medium, 170 Tamil and English medium and 38 Sinhala-Tamil and English(trilingual) medium schools in Sri Lanka.
– Students by language: Sinhala medium 3,098,539. And Tamil medium 1,026,877, and bilingual 89.356.
– Teachers by medium: Sinhala 176,537, Tamil medium 64,297 and English medium 6500.
– Students have an inalienable right to education and sit for any exam in their preferred medium.
– In addition to the above, University education is totally free for all students who qualify and enter.
a. to understand the brutality of the LTTE and lay a concrete foundation for non-recurrence of child conscription.
v. Being Sri Lankan Ontarians, we invite you all to join in strongly condemning the use of children in armed conflicts and child conscriptions committed by LTTE and other armed groups and terrorist organisations and strengthen the rights of all children in the world for a beautiful childhood and a bright future.
The post International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers on 12 February appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post AN INSIGHT INTO LTTE ADMINISTERED TAMIL SCHOOLS IN EUROPE AND ONTARIO BILL 104: THE RADICALIZATION OF CHILDREN (Full Report) appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>Examining the beginnings of the “Thamilcholai” school system, it is clear that it was designed and created by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist movement, initially within Sri Lanka. The beginnings of this school system can be seen as beginning as an orphanage in and around the year 1990 in accordance with the wishes of the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabakaran. This orphanage was established with 90 children aged between 2-12 years. In the years 1991 and 1993 the LTTE established two orphanages namely „Sencholai‟ for female orphans and „Kantharuban Aravichollai ‟ for male orphans (Kantharuban was the name of the first LTTE “sea tiger” suicide cadre who took part in a suicide operation to destroy the Sri Lanka Navy ship “Edithra”, in 1990). These orphanages were controlled and administered by the LTTE but to the outside world they were presented as orphanages run by an independent social welfare group.
The first school as such came into being as far back as 1995, long before allegations were levelled against madrasas, for similar alleged ties to terrorist organisations. The establishment of the “Thamailchollai” was ostensibly with the primary purpose of teaching Tamil language and culture to Diaspora children. This was an understandable motive, as in the alien environment of their adopted lands it is important that Tamil cultural values were kept and passed on from generation to generation. The reality is that they are very closely associated with the LTTE. In Europe alone there are more than 350 Thamilchollai schools with approximately 20,000 Tamil students between the ages 4 to 21. The LTTE front organizations are using most of these students not only to promote LTTE interest overseas but also as a source of income. The details of some of the schools that are functioning in Europe are given below PDF file.
Looking at Canadian context, it is evident that attempts are being made in Ontario Legislature and in Different Ontario Schools to indoctrinate unproven and unethical narratives to the minds of the younger generation thru intervetions made by LTTE front Organisations and individuals. Canadians need to be mindful of these dubious claims by radical groups to not let flow into the education systems under no circumstances.
Based on original article at:
https://srilankabriefly.org/an-insight-into-ltte-administered-tamil-schools-in-europe-the-radicalization-of-children/?fbclid=IwAR2O3nz1lnG33orAgvIItMlcqoxMqoQ-op93LMSJuYzEGsXAT38Mn-IOxwI
Please email us your article at editorial@srilankancanadian.ca
The post AN INSIGHT INTO LTTE ADMINISTERED TAMIL SCHOOLS IN EUROPE AND ONTARIO BILL 104: THE RADICALIZATION OF CHILDREN (Full Report) appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post Formal complaint against Juanita Nathan, Chair and all Trustees of YRDSB appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>PRESS RELEASE
Markham – July 10th, 2020 – We hereby inform that a formal complaint has been filed with YRDSB integrity commissioner against Juanita Nathan, Chair of the Board and Trustees Bob McRoberts, Elizabeth Terrell-Tracey, Cynthia Cordova, David Sherman, Ron Lynn, Allan Tam, Linda Gilbert, Corrie McBain, Cindy Liang, Nadeem Mahmood, Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair, Lauri Hoeg (collectively Board) of the York Region District School Board for breaching of Members Code of Conduct.
Full submission can be found here:
https://tinyurl.com/yc8bv6vt
If you have any questions or comments about this submission,
please email: speakup@srilankancanadian.ca
The post Formal complaint against Juanita Nathan, Chair and all Trustees of YRDSB appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post Shocking disclosures by Canadian Sri Lankan youth of Sinhalese background on violence and discriminatory action by Tamil extremists appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>It is with great regret that we share with you the news of 20 impact statements by Canadian Sri Lankan youth in Toronto. Please refer to their Instagram page to view the videos:
https://www.instagram.com/lankansunited
Many questions are being raised on why this has happened and what the community has done all these years? More questions have been asked on why the community knowing these occurrences and had kept quiet. Something has to be done and this is the time!
A number parents of Canadian born students, who had originated from Sri Lanka or were born to parents of Sri Lankan origin, have come forward with their very distressing experiences of racial discrimination, violence and bullying due to disruption of social harmony due to various groups using the alleged “Tamil Genocide” to incite violence on Sinhalese students.
Premier Ford along with the Cabinet mentioned “Every student – irrespective of the colour of their skin, socio-economic status, heritage, or orientation – deserves every opportunity to achieve their full potential.” It is with regret that we are highlighting that the divisive politics of members within the cabinet of the Ford Government and some NDP candidates. Also some Tamil Board trustees at Peel District School Board, Toronto District School Board and York District School Board have come forward with alleged Tamil Genocide proclamations or statements. Statement shared by them reinforced a false claim of genocide which was never declared by United Nations, yet politicians discounted all other lives lost during a 25 year civil armed conflict between all Sri Lankans against the terrorist group LTTE (banned by Canada in 2006). It was not just the Tamils who had lost lives, but all ethnicities i.e. Sinhalese, Tamils,Muslims and Burghurs. These divisive statements are renewing and cultivating hate and division among Sri Lankan descent families, of a war that ended 11 years, back in Sri Lanka.
We will be reaching out to the relevant authorities to avoid any and all steps necessary to correct misinformation, to stop actions of that disrupt community unity or any action that brings tension to the social harmony of the community for hidden political agendas. Immediate action is needed to put a stop for any
future occurrences of anti-Sri Lankan racial discrimination on Canadian soil. We requests that you also reach out to your MPP!
Our request is that political organisations and school boards to continue to function as a fair and equitable way, not taking sides and reinforcing divisions among Sri Lankan descents, not promoting alien propaganda, not getting involved with political issues that will negatively impact a part of the student body. We have a responsibility to be inclusive of ALL children. No child should have to defend themselves in social media, and/or eventually in school playgrounds and community settings as a result of discriminatory posts on social media. Let us reinforce and make Canada what is supposed to be “a safe environment for all children and allow all our children to come to school without fear for their safety”. These hate filled and divisive campaigns/posts has impacted the mental well-being of many non-Tamil youth and their family bringing back trauma of the war, bombing and LTTE terrorist attacks, that these families may have experienced firsthand.
We speak for a large number of parents in Ontario, when we say that, the last thing we expected from elected officials are to promote hatred and relive the trauma that parents and children are all fighting hard to leave behind. When most of the world is coming together against racism, some political elements within the community with ulterior motives are taking different stances and are promoting racism and division among and within the Sri Lanka community. Just as we stand up against anti-Black racism, help us stand against dividing and discriminating Sri Lankan descent children too. No child must go through incidents such as these here in Canada. We trust the relevant authorities take necessary steps to look out for physical and mental well-being of all children including all Sri Lankan descent children as well.
As a community we request elected representatives to exercise responsibility to maintain social harmony in the community, province and in Canada. We also request that you please stay away from divisive politics.
If you have any questions or comments about this submission, please email: speakup@srilankancanadian.ca
The post Shocking disclosures by Canadian Sri Lankan youth of Sinhalese background on violence and discriminatory action by Tamil extremists appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post Formal Complaint against Trustee Robin Pilkey, Chair of the Board and TDSB Board members appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>Toronto – June 19th, 2020 – We hereby inform that a Formal Complaint has been filled with TDSB Integrity Commissioner against Trustee Robin Pilkey, Chair of the Board and Board members (collectively Board) of the Toronto District School Board for breaching of Members Code of Conduct. Full submission can be found here:
https://tinyurl.com/y947xt4b
If you have any questions or comments about this submission or have experienced any anti-Sri Lankan or any other forms of discriminations in the past or recent due to the fact you have a Sri Lankan background in Canada, please email:
speakup@srilankancanadian.ca
The post Formal Complaint against Trustee Robin Pilkey, Chair of the Board and TDSB Board members appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>The post Letter to the Toronto School Board by Anjana Bandara appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>14th May 2019
Dear Sirs/ Madames:
I write to you on behalf of Sri Lankan residents and Sri Lankan parents whose children attend schools with Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to direct your attention to the following email (Email) that has been originated by TDSB.
Review of the Email indicates that TDSB as an organization is approving and condoning the information disseminated in the seminar as it is evident that TDSB is encouraging the students and staff to attend the event.
I trust you are aware that, being educators yourselves and/or as responsible office holders for a field that holds accountability of shaping future generations and young minds, that information you disseminate should be true and correct.
If you or your agents take responsibility in promoting a certain event or segment of information ,it is your paramount responsibility to verify the accuracy of information or the reliability of the message the event is proposing to promote.
I trust you all, being affiliated with the field of education, are aware of the definition genocide. I have attached the Guidance note provided by UN (United Nations) for your ease of reference and further review and strictly direct your attention to implications outlined in the note associated with arbitrary use of the term genocide.
Genocide Convention provides the guidelines for establishing genocide and as per the convention the only authority that is able to make a finding of genocide is UN or the International Court of Justice. I have attached the Guidance note provided by UN (United Nations) for your ease of reference and further review.
“Article VIII
Any Contracting Party may call upon the competent organs of the United Nations to take such action under the Charter of the United Nations as they consider appropriate for the prevention and suppression of acts of genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III.
Article IX
Disputes between the Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation, application or fulfilment of the present Convention, including those relating to the responsibility of a State for genocide or for any of the other acts enumerated in article III, shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties to the dispute.”
There has been no finding of genocide in Sri Lanka. The issue is controversial and falls clearly with in political propaganda initiated by certain factions to achieve political goals.
Sri Lankan community has provided its formal objections on the issue to the municipalities and the provincial government. I have attached the above materials to allow you to get a full sense of the controversial nature of the matter.
You as educators are disseminating false and unsubstantiated information with little thought to accountability of your actions. It is irresponsible and discriminatory towards thousands of Sri Lankan parents whose children are attending your schools. It is a breach of trust the parents have placed in you to educate their children responsibly and not fall prey to factions who attempt to promote their political agendas.
We request that TDSB withdraw sponsorship of the matter . Please note that TDSB shall be held accountable for promoting unsubstantiated and partisan information without proper verification if TDSB proceeds with their support for this seminar and the matter will be escalated to seek redress through all available channels.
Your Truly
Anjana Bandara
Barrister & Solicitor
The post Letter to the Toronto School Board by Anjana Bandara appeared first on Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition Ontario Bill 104.
]]>