Vajeera Warnakulasuriya, Melbourne

The Prime Minister of Australia
Hon.Julia Gillard,
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 
Dear Prime Minister,

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ AustraliaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Headache, Asylum SeekersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Today the Government is compelled to find a solution for this burning question on humanitarian grounds, this has taken priority while other important issues that really matter to the public at large has taken a back step.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ With the increase of boats arriving to Australia, the Opposition and the media accuse the ALP governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s weakness in the operation of assessing processes set out from the outset. The crucial difference in the situation between last government and this has been forgotten, ignored or missed by all sides!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ During the last government there was a conflict between the Sri Lankan Government forces and the LTTE Terrorist movement for nearly three decades. Opportunistic wealthy Tamils and those who had financial backing by the Tamil Diaspora had incessant movement by illegal boats at an easy pace, because they never believed this conflict will ever be stopped with the annihilation of the LTTE. All those who managed to set sail were economic migrants who cashed in on the situation under the pretext of bogus hindrances perpetrated on them by the Government and the Sinhalese. Back then there was no urgency, as they could play the same card backed by the corrupt UNHCR officials (there were a considerable number of Tamils working for both UNHCR & the Australian Embassy) when ever a boat set sail. With the unexpected end of the conflict the Tamil Diaspora knew time is running out to play the same card and help to get as much as Tamils to migrate to the West by illegal means. When you cry Wolf, Wolf repeatedly the outcome is well known!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is the reason why the number of boats arriving at this time increased, not because John Howards solution was any better than that of RuddƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s or GillardƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Some even argue that during former Prime Minister Malcolm FrasierƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s time, Vietnam boat people were allowed to Australia by lots of 25,000 a year, whilst now itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a smidgeon that get the chance from this travel. Now those who talk this rubbish has completely forgotten the situation of the Vietnamese boat arrivals and why the relaxation of the rules of processing. One has to remind those who talk this nonsense, that it is the humility shown by the government and the people, having realised their unjust involvement in yet another ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-somebody elseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ war, killing innocent farming villagers, infants, women etc with the use of Napalm, merely because they believed in a different Doctrine to that of the CapitalisticƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  World! Obviously Vietnamese didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have the freedom of right to choose a Government of their choice!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Presently there are two groups of refugees seeking entry to Australia for residency. Strangely all Politicians hearts bleed only for the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, as a result of been brainwashed with diabolical lies, lies and lies. The conflict that ruined the economy, human life and property for three decades in Sri Lanka is insignificant to these politicians; however same cannot be said on the Afghans who also come by boats in lesser numbers with genuine reasons for fleeing.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ While Sri Lanka is addressing the Peace and Reconciliation issue to the hearts contents of the affected communities in that country, in Afghanistan killing of innocent lives and all hardships that follow within the war goes on regardless at this very minute. Though one may say the conditions in Afghanistan is improving on daily basis, in reality the conditions are far worse than before. Naturally those who kill and maim innocent civilians, intentionally or as collateral damage in the process of eliminating or vanquishing Terrorists, also send home their innocent young men and women in body bags.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Very soon Australians will have to say enough is enough just as in Vietnam situation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Realities being such, these Afghans who have fled the country for obvious reasons, are helpless and there is no one to talk on their behalf. They are not wealthy enough to contribute to the party coffers of the political parties? Not even to oil the palm of individual politicians? ABC and SBS reporters obviously have no sob stories about Afghans to be shown to arouse the anger of the Aussies to canvass to support them! ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Why, is it because they are not on their payrole? What a pity these Afghans did notƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ have the means to collect funds unlike Tamil Diaspora, though they had genuine reasons, due to poor financial standing of their community here, FurthermoreƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ they could not throw ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ sumptuous meals unlike Tamil Diaspora to win the hearts and minds of the Aussie influentialƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s. So, no one bothers to be serious for them.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ During the last General elections, one Tamil reverend from Melbourne went all the way to Benelong to canvass Tamil votes for John Howard, he even advertised on the papers appealing the Tamil voters to support liberal, well the swing towards ALP was heavy Maxine McKew was fortunate.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ While Afghans deserve a second chance, Sri Lankans Tamils have no reason to steal the sympathy of the Australian government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The genuine Tamils in the North who lead a simple life as farmers were conscripted as LTTE soldiers, child soldiers are now liberated and living a Peaceful life, it is the Economic Migrants who had a good education and lived with the Sinhalese in the South who jump boats and try their luck to migrate to the West!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are thousands of Aussies who are homeless, jobless with very bleak future who should get the Australians utmost support to uplift their will to lead a decent life rather than spending millions on confident tricksters from Sri Lanka who abuse the generosity of the unsuspecting Aussies!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I believe my attempt to divert your thoughts to a sensible track will change your attitude on this boat arrivals issue.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Yours Sincerely,

Vajeera Warnakulasuriya,

Melbourne

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚