Canada’s unsolicited
intervention in the internal affairs of a Sri Lankan NGO
SRI LANKA UNITED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF CANADA
Box 55292, 300 Borough Drive, Toronto, Ontario M1P 4Z7 Canada
Website: www.sluna.org E-mail: sluna@idirect.com
By E-mail February 1, 2008
Hon. Maxime Bernier, MP, PC
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Honourable Minister,
Re: Canada’s unsolicited intervention in the
internal affairs of a Sri Lankan NGO
We refer to the report carried in the Nation newspaper published in
Sri Lanka on January 27, 2008, wherein it was revealed that Canada’s
High Commissioner, Her Excellency, Madam Angela Bogdan had written to
the Board of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) in Colombo
threatening to withdraw funding unless one Dr. Rama Mani, a French National,
removed from office for mismanagement was re-instated as the Executive
Director of ICES. This is clearly interference in the internal administration
of a Sri Lankan NGO by the representative of a foreign country.
We are appalled to note that Canada which has had close ties to Sri
Lanka over several decades, whilst continuing to maintain a cordial
and friendly relationship, respecting each other as equals and members
of the Commonwealth of Nations, could use her funds to manipulate non-government
organizations in that country to promote some alien objective of pressuring
the Government and people of Sri Lanka to adopt policies that are not
favoured by the general public, through financing provided to malleable
groups that have set themselves up as community organizations. Even
though these NGOs claim to represent the civil society of Sri Lanka,
they are in fact tools of foreign funding agencies and governments that
use their services to push agendas that are inimical to the best interests
of the nation they are supposed to serve.
This matter raises a whole lot of other questions. As a Canadian organization
made up of members of Sri Lankan origin, we are particularly concerned,
as we fear that Canada is similarly funding other non-government organizations
in Sri Lanka to interfere in matters of policy which primarily concern
the people of Sri Lanka. If Canada wants to convey her views on any
matter, she is free to discuss the matters with the local authorities
directly, without attempting to financially prop up local groups as
hatchet men or a fifth column that would act in ways to undermine the
nation and the will of the people.
We are of the firm belief that such funding could only harm Canada
as it is secretively disbursed to questionable groups for purposes other
than building goodwill between the people of Canada and the Sri Lankan
people. As loyal Canadians and members of the tax paying public in Canada,
we would like to be appraised of the total sums and list of recipients
of such funds delivered by Canada to individuals and organizations in
Sri Lanka, at your earliest convenience. Needless to say, Canada should
in line with her policy of transparency and openness, divulge all such
payments in the public interest.
Yours very truly,
Mahinda Gunasekera
Honorary President
Encl. News Report in the Nation of January 27, 2008-02-01
Copy to: Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
“ “ Hon. Peter Mackay, Minister of Defence
“ “ Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety
“ “ Hon. Jason Kenney, Secy of State, Multiculturalism &
Canadian Identity
“ “ Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation
“ “ Hon. Helena Guergis, Secy of State for Foreign Affairs
“ “ Hon. Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board
“ “ H.E. Madam Angela Bogdan, Canada’s High Commissioner
in Sri Lanka
“ “ H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka
“ “ Hon. Rohitha Bogollogama, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“ “ H.E. Mr. W.J.S. Karunaratne, High Commissioner for Sri
Lanka
“ “ Hon. Stephane Dion, Leader of the Opposition
“ “ Hon. Michael Ignatief, MP, Liberal Party
“ “ Hon. Jack Layton, MP, Leader of the NDP
“ “ Hon. Gilles Duceppe, MP. Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
“ “ Hon. Robert Keith Rae
“ “ Editor, Nation Newspaper, Colombo, Sri Lanka
“ “ Prof. K.M. de Silva, Chairman, ICES Colombo
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