OTTAWA - New Democrat leader Jack Layton took the opportunity at a meeting with the
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada, to convey New Democrats' call for an
immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka.
"I call on the government of Sri Lanka to accept an immediate ceasefire," said
Layton as he expressed his condolences to all those on both sides of the conflict
who had lost loved ones.
"Furthermore, I asked that aid agencies and international media be given unfettered
access to the conflict zone."
Layton expressed his concern regarding the camps erected by the Government of Sri
Lanka and relayed the fears of Canadian Tamil families about the safety of their
relatives at these camps.
"I expressed my strong rejection of the practice of internment at these camps and
asked that at the very least the government of Sri Lanka open the means of
communications between Canadian Tamil families and their relatives at these camps,"
said Layton.
The meeting had been requested by the Sri Lankan representative. Layton rejected the
Sri Lankan government's assertion that a ceasefire was impossible. He reiterated the
New Democrats' position that sustainable peace in the region can only be guaranteed
through a peace process, starting with an immediate ceasefire to all hostilities.
Layton expressed hope that meetings between high-level UN officials and Sri Lankan
government may lead to a ceasefire agreement.
"New Democrats have once again articulated its strong position for an end to the
conflict, this time directly to the government of Sri Lanka," stated Layton.
Layton spoke of the anguish in the eyes of those many Tamils with whom he had met
here in Canada because they cannot communicate with their loved ones back home.
For more information, please contact:
Rupinder Kaur, press secretary: 613-222-5048 or
rupinder@ndp.ca
RUPINDER KAUR
Press Secretary
Canada's New Democrats
O: 613.943.4919
C: 613.222.5048
F: 613.995.4565
E: kaurr@parl.gc.ca
Published: Feb 24, 2009 2:53:40 GMT