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Departing Canadian MP Bob Rae has this to say

February 3, 2010  05:47 pm

Making a personal statement, Canadian Parliamentarian Bob Rae, who was refused entry into Sri Lankalast night (June 9) says that he had ‘successfully applied to the Sri Lankan High Commission for a visa and had discussed my visit with the Sri Lankan Commissioner, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and with officials from DFAIT’.

 

In addition Mr. Rae concludes, “What they now also know is that the government of Sri Lanka is afraid of dialogue, afraid of discussion, afraid of engagement. All I can say is shame on them. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can’t speak out and who can’t make public statements.

 

I shall have more to say on my return to Canada.”

 

The statement in full:

 

Personal Statement by Hon Bob Rae PC, MP, on being refused entry into Sri Lanka at the Colombo Airport.

 

On the evening of Tuesday June 9, 2009 I arrived on a flight from Delhi to Colombo, Sri Lanka. I had successfully applied to the Sri Lankan High Commission for a visa and had discussed my visit with the Sri Lankan Commissioner, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and with officials from DFAIT.

 

When I arrived at immigration in the company of two Canadian High Commission officials I was, after some delay, told that I was being refused entry “on the grounds of national intelligence”.

 

Since that time I have spent over twelve hours at the airport trying to find a reason for this decision. I have had the full support of officials here and in Ottawa. The Government of Sri Lanka is sticking to its position, and I am being put on a plane to Londonat 1:15 pm Sri Lankan time. I shall be back in Canada some time Thursday.

 

I have been involved in Sri Lanka for over a decade, first as Chairman of the Forum of Federations, and later as a Member of Parliament. I have travelled extensively throughout the country, and have met many times with its political leaders, of all parties. During the peace process I obviously met with LTTE officials who were involved in those discussions.

 

I also met with all political parties, with a wide spectrum of opinions. My many trips to Sri Lanka, and my work in Canadaas well as the peace process post 2001 were intended to work to a peaceful solution. To that end I have met with people of all views I have  never in any way felt that the violent  tactics of the LTTE were in any way the right  course, and I have made that view known on many occasions, including debates in parliament.  To describe me as “an LTTE supporter”, as an Army spokesman has done today, is a lie, pure and simple.

 

A review of my record would also show that I have been a champion of moderate Tamil opinion and Tamil dissent. I have been a steady critic of the abuses of human rights that were part of the LTTE’s tactics, and have spoken about this unhesitatingly in Canada and abroad. I spoke at memorial services for both Lakshman Kadirgarmar, the former Foreign Minister, and Ketesh Loganathan, who worked at the Sri Lankan peace secretariat, both of whom were personal friends.

 

I am clearly not welcome here to discuss the humanitarian situation and the future of reconciliation in this country. But the government of Sri Lankaknew my views, and granted me a visa. I have flown a very long way only to be told the door is firmly shut.

 

The Sri Lankan government has made this decision because they have apparently reached some ill-conceived and defamatory conclusions about me. But after thirty years of public service at home and abroad I have to say this decision reflects on them, and not on me. I have fought against violence and extremism all my life. Everyone knows that, and the record of my actions, speeches and reports is there for all to see.

 

What they now also know is that the government of Sri Lanka is afraid of dialogue, afraid of discussion, afraid of engagement. All I can say is shame on them. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can’t speak out and who can’t make public statements.

 

I shall have more to say on my return to Canada.

Viewer Comments

June 11, 2009  03:46 pm

My dear BOB surely you cannot have more sympathy to Sri Lankans, than for people of your own country whom you represent? Is it because of LTTE Black Money in your pocket? SHAME ON YOU. Why did you come without a return ticket? Your intention was to hide among LTTE cadres here?

jaya

June 11, 2009  02:13 pm

This guy is a prize clown.He is shameless and looks as if he is performing to get more diaspora votes back home.If he does not have policies to get votes from the white canadians he is definetely acting as a prize pimp for the tamil diaspora.all i can say is he must be very very tired by the time he gets home that he may need a couple of days to recover.What a disgraze...

rohan

June 11, 2009  01:14 pm

Yes .. You have more to stay when you are in Canada.. Mr. bob rae,, say what ever you like..or sing a poem.. no one cares.. but mean time talk about your candadians assualting in the indians.. Human Rights..

Manula

June 11, 2009  12:11 pm

Be canadian in canada, be tiger in canada, IN SRI LANKA,ha! ha! ha! dont even think about it. bcos we are LIONS

Nishantha

June 11, 2009  12:17 pm

Ha ha ha Bob Ray is a famous LTTE sympathizer. Hurrah for the government for not allowing this man into this country. Our country is not their property to make decisions. Go home pal - you are no better than Adele Balasingham who is also a de facto terrorist.

Dilum

June 11, 2009  12:24 pm

Pls BoB come to my home, i have JoB for you.i have toooooooo much dirty cloth to get wash.Dirty BoB ! can you be my House Boy.That will be very good JoB 4 BoB.

Nishantha

June 11, 2009  09:42 am

Ammapa munta wada nadda unge rate ah..?

Dissa

June 11, 2009  08:50 am

Dear Bob, dialogue, discussion and engagement, with whom? Why should we discuss our internal issue with you? By the way who are you? You are not a privy to this. You plucked distorted figures and facts from TamilNet and diasspora and leveled unverified accusation of HR violations and genocide charges against SriLanka. What do you expect us to do? Simply you played to the gallary. You were after tamil votes in your constituency. Therefore, you behaved like a kid, dancy like a puppet. You thought that this government is also like previous governement which was there during CFA worshipping to any foriegner who comes with disguise. This country and thinking of people has changed, changed for good. We need not advisors, no experts nor mediators. We can directly talk to our tamil brothers and sisters for reconcilliation. People like you have no role to play. We, general public of this country overwhelmingly support deportation action by GoSL.

Vipula Vishvanath

June 11, 2009  02:29 am

The Government of SL is VERY WRONG SENDING HIM OFF If he was a tiger supporter and the MI positively identified him , he should be charged on Sri Lankan Law under preventing of terrorism act. It clearly says, supporting anf admiring terrorism is an offence Why the HELL WE LET HIM GO, Is it because he is a MP or WHITE OR CANADIAN If I was the decesion maker I will keep him 90 days and charge him based on avialabl;e evidence to support LTTE. Not only that , we should have brought him to Natioanl TV to make him accept what he did. The law is there to protect the country and it´s interest.Before asumming you are a white educated law maker, you shouldnt assume all the officials in Sri Lanka are bunch of idiots, similar to the ones who you stand for Shit we would have find him a dark room with the hard core LTTE lot in an army camp We should lead by example, what happens to those who support terrorsist. Then the rest liker Milliband and other pro LTTE crew will not think of landing in Sri Lanka not even to go to a loo ..:) I am a firm supporter of George Bush.. Well done Immigrations and MI boys!

LankaPuthraUK

June 11, 2009  02:35 am

Hello BOBBY BUBBY....... granting a visa does not guarantee that you are allowed in a country upon your arrival!(thats what you just enjoyed!) what a joker you are! what have you been doing for the last 30 years apart from getting $$$$$$$ from LTTE? No brain????????

alanka

June 11, 2009  03:01 am

We know what U have told in the past and what proportion of them are true. U are just on Ur own political agenda. SRL dont welcome such idiots!! U can go back home and talk a lot about Ur own fantacies, WE DONT CARE!! Bye!!!

Insight

June 11, 2009  05:39 am

I agree with "adjunkie" First of all GoSL needs to find out why Bob was even granted a Visa to visit Sri Lanka. This IS a reflection of what poor judgment the SL High commissioner to Canada has. Yes, Bob needs to look after his own people and not try to interfere with other nations internal affairs. I agree with most of these comment, however, we need to first clear the "dirt" we have in our own back yard. Appoint educated, capable, individuals who love the country as representative of our great nation.

Dessi

June 11, 2009  06:00 am

Mr. Rae first resolve your own issues in Canada before fingering to Sri Lankan matters. We have better educated Leasers in Sri Lanka to resolve our own issues and we do not need foreign involvement. go back to your den and mind your own business.

Michael

June 11, 2009  06:58 am

Shame on you man. This is not Canada this is Sri Lanka where as you people feed & care LTTE in your country past few years. Any way where the hell you got authority say aything against our country ? Go back to you country tell your other friends too not to mess with SRI LANKA ANY MORE. You people think that you skin is white & wear tie & suite that you have right to judge & do anything you please. Not anymore ok.

KJ

June 11, 2009  07:19 am

Big mistake. They should have thanked him for coming to help them return to peace and prosperity, flown him north, given him a bayonet and said, "There are Tamil Tiger minefields all over this area of the country so after you find each mine stick this little Liberal pennant in the ground beside it. Don´t worry someone will monitor you from a safe distance".

Ariya

June 11, 2009  07:21 am

Message from U.S. Homeland Security to CSIS and Canadian Border Services .... known terrorist sympathizer, file Rae R., will attempt to enter Canada.

Krynkis

June 11, 2009  07:24 am

I hope the Department of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance in the search for a country that will take him. Unwanted in Ontario. Unwanted in Sri Lanka. eHarmony.com may be the solution. Mr. Rae is a proven security threat to the people of Ontario. This said, he should be denied entry to Canada and shipped to Gitmo. Rae Rae go away, please don´t come back another day. When will this guy "get it" that he is not wanted by Liberals & Ontarians

Krynkis

June 11, 2009  01:19 am

By the way, why did Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Canada issued a Visa for this White Tiger knowing that he was against Sri Lanka right from the beginning?? He even wanted Commonwealth members to kick Sri Lanka out.. IS SLHC in Ottawa living in a another planet..????

Nihal Perera

June 11, 2009  02:25 am

SORRY Mate, you have been given wrong advice and information. Did you think that LTTE was rulling Sri Lanka? NO and the LTTE is now a history. No room LTTE supporters in Sri Lanka and the sri Lankan govt must put you in jail along with all your LTTE mates. P.S. Sri Lankan govt does not discuss anything with LTTE supporters like you. Stay away and dont get invlvolved yourself (DIY) another broken heart and he seems to be too old to travel again to Sri Lanka. Make your last will and sleep well!

asrilankan

June 10, 2009  11:56 pm

Well done Sri Lanka for stopping "Tamil Bob" from entering Sri Lanka... There is no doubt that his trip was paid by the LTTE supporters in Canada, prending to be a fact finding fact. The real purpose of his trip was to find out about the IDP´s and come back and thrash Sri Lanka accusing the treatment of IDP´s by the GOSL is unacceptable, etc,.. This will boost his support among the Tamil voters in the up coming election. These WHITE TIGERS don´t give a damn about Sri Lanka or Tamil IDP´s, they always try to exploite these situations for their own political reasons. Kudos to Immigration officers at the Katunayake Airport for deporting these hypocritical Whities....!

Nihal Perera

June 10, 2009  11:22 pm

He has the guts to say "Sri Lankan Government is afraid...". YOUR COUNTRY IS AFRAID OF THE LTTE, AND CAN´T EVEN HANDLE A GROUP OF LTTE RIOTERS ON THE HIGH-STREET!!! You think you are the smart guy who can do things better than all the previous jokers who also FLEW HERE TO STIR THINGS UP?? Shame on you mate!!!

Bandu Dias

June 10, 2009  10:59 pm

So you got to taste some spicy Sri Lankan Curry even before you entered ha..Go home Bob...Sri Lanka is not your political Game-board anymore.

Indika UAE

June 10, 2009  10:53 pm

Mr. Rae, As you have mentioned,We know how you spoke and wrote against the Goventment of Sri Lanka during the past 2-3 months.Why dont you visit a native reserve in Ontario,there is no freedom for them.by the way you may know who has the collected tiger money sitting. sure they will fund your next election.now do not lie to you friend Michel naider-I am shocked after 30 years how you did not know protocall.fool some body else.

Citizen Silva

June 10, 2009  10:57 pm

For the first time since our independence, we have a government which is not prepared to bow down to pressure from so called "Super powers" We have our dignity and self respect and we should not allow other countries to dictate terms to us. Bob Rae has attended all the fund raising activities organized by the LTTE in Canada. He has continuously accused the SL government of ethnic cleansing and genocide. As the Immigration Department has said his visit is not in the best interest of our country. Bob Rae’s past action proves that the immigration department made the correct decision.

Roshan

June 10, 2009  09:37 pm

Mr. Bob, we do not need your advise how to deal with our own affairs. We know very well that you have been staunch supporter of tamil terrorist, whom you as officials. If you are so interested to bring about a solution to our country, first shut the door to the terrorists and sympathizers in your country. You have one rule for LTTE terrorists and another rule for the terrorists from the middle east. You are coming to us tell about human rights. Just because you are depending on the tamil votes, you should not try to boss us.

Zarook Mohamed

June 10, 2009  09:36 pm

If what he says is true and he was granted a visa, shame on the SL high commission who approved a visa for this man! Who ever that was should be kicked out of the foreign service! This is how you bring disgrace to the nation by such moronic acts! Now this bob person will be screaming his head off about that till kingdom come!

adjunkie

June 10, 2009  09:07 pm

Mr.Rae, Please come to Canada quickly and try to solve burning Canadian problems insteard of putting fingers to other countries. There are millions of job cuts, auto companines are closing, many businesses are shuting down, entire young generation is drug addicts and sex addicts, housing market is collapsing, crime and suicide rate is sky rocketing, university education is very expensive not like sri lankan free education, So Mr.Rae first fix your country and go to others.

Ruwan,Canada

June 10, 2009  08:57 pm

I like to draw my attention to Mr Rae´s following sentence ´If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can’t speak out and who can’t make public´ What does it mean ? Does he belong to a some kind of super class? As far as SL is concerned he is just ordinary. Let him live with his grandios idea.

Ananda Jayasinghe

June 10, 2009  08:53 pm

bob go home and get your own business.dont waste your time in here.we have enough people in here to handle the situation.you are realy a terrarist who supporting to world ex-most rutheless terror orgernisation.

prasanga

June 10, 2009  08:22 pm

Damn good. When Sri Lanka nominated Mr. Chandranada de Silva formenr Election commissioner and Defence Secretary, was nominated as High Commissioner in Canada, Canada rfused to accept the nomination. When, Mr. Daya Perera President´s Counsel was nominated as High Commission, Canada dilly dally with nomination and asked him whether he as a "President´s Counsel" rendered any professional services to President Chandrika Kumaratunge and after a severl months, reluctantly approved the nomination.Canada refused Visa for several military officers merely because they served in Sri Lanka Military, but Resident Visas to all LTTE Terrorists.

Kumara

June 10, 2009  08:12 pm

We are so proud to say that you are dumped out because of you supported LTTE. You have lot of time to think what you can tell to your countrymen. You can tell them that Sri Lanka has dumped me because I supported LTTE. Don´t you feel shame about supporting a terrist group? I don´t think that you have any shame because LTTE blood money which you got. I think that your air fair also came from same blond stained accounts. You are not a politician you are only a contractor who undertook white wishing for world number 1 (ex) ranked terror band. We are so proud about dumping you & we will dump whoever helped to this terror band..

Jay

June 10, 2009  08:09 pm

Mr.Bob, your statement very clearly shows who you are.no need to see record of actions, speeches and reports. It is shame for you!!! for your 30 years public service.

Kml

June 10, 2009  07:59 pm

He came on a one way ticket to claim refugee status in S/L. LOL this idiot is a joke here in Canada and a shame to Canada.

Selva

June 10, 2009  07:56 pm

Hey Bob, being a law-maker, you surely know that receiving a visa for a particular country is NOT a guarantee that you can enter that country. Canada also issues visas for foreigners under that condition. So, why is this hullabaloo?

Anuruddha

June 10, 2009  07:17 pm

Hey Bob, you mentioned that you met and had discussions with LTTE officials, there is no such a thing as LTTE officials, you should mentioned that you met and support LTTE TERRRIOSTS... OFFICIALS WORKS FOR CIVILIZED COUNTRIES, AND WITH GOVERNMNET.. THERE IS NO WAY TO REFER THEM AS LTTE OFFICIALS.. YOU ARE A CANADIAN TERRORIST TOO.. in your statement that you have more to say in return trip to canada ... go rally and parade in canada with LTTE supportes.. who cares... TERORRISTS ARE TERRORISTS.... IT´S DON´T HAVE COLOUR, RELIGIONS, OR ETHINICITY OR... BLACK OR WHITE.. JUST TERRORISTS.. YOU ARE ONE OF THEM TOO..

LALANI

June 10, 2009  07:14 pm

Mr Bob.This is a country with a litercy rate of 98# and a history of 2500 years.Please donot waste our time and look after Your people over there.

s.lankan

June 10, 2009  07:09 pm

Before he made any genocide accusations against SL government he should have checked his facts with the SL High Commissioner but he failed to do that and instead belived his LTTE friends. Mr. Rae we PROUD SRILANKANS do not need your advise as to how to rebuild our own country.

Su

June 10, 2009  06:27 pm

Ohhh..Sirilangans are bad..He came to salute dead and wowned tigers..I hope our canadian die ass pora protest against human rights violation.

Ponga Machan Ponga

June 10, 2009  06:14 pm

A terrorist should be treated as a terrorist, irrespective of the complexion of his or her skin, or where he or she was born. Bob, you are a terrorist; you have been treated appropriately. I normally do not like the officials of the Sri Lankan Immigration Department at BIA (as none of them know how to smile), but today, I am proud of them. It is important to ask the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Canada as to how they allowed this man to get visa to enter Sri Lanka.

Viduruwan

June 10, 2009  06:12 pm

Yes, You have to say to LTTE agent of Canada Srilanka official throw me out from SRILANKA.NO MORE BULL SHIT MATE!!!Thats enough This independant country SRI LANKA.Fly a Kite to LTTE.Mind your own buisness.Now You understand clearly.GOT IT.

Pushpa

June 10, 2009  06:11 pm

canadian should know sri lanka is a sovereign country and do not let any terrorist supporter to threat her sovereignity

Jalthar

June 10, 2009  06:02 pm

Srilanka is not willing to talk to LTTE helpers, without backbone liberal party MPs. They do anything to get Tamil votes, not because they love peace or do anything better for Srilanka. Good move!

charlie

June 10, 2009  06:02 pm

WHY DID HE COM WITH A ONE WAY TICKET ? HE KNEW HE DESERVED TO BE SENT BACK, HENCE SAVED THE MONEY, PROBABLY PAID BY LTTE

SRI

June 10, 2009  05:59 pm

Do you think that this is your own property to enter when you needed? However I don’t think that someone inside of Sri Lanka invited you to come hear. Please keep your lectures for your so called “moderate Tamil opinion and Tamil dissent” for your countrymen but not for this country. Still you are thinking that you are entitled to enter to this country. I think that now you know that Sri Lanka no more entertain conspirators. I think that flying back to Canada is a long journey but we feel that it’s better than letting you are in. It’s like a known swine flu patient allowing in. Bye Mr. Rae. Its time to re think about what damage you have done to my country

Jay

June 10, 2009  05:55 pm

MP Bob Rae - I hope you know how it feels. Hundrends and thousands of visas are rejected by Canada all the time. May be you could Appeal! like we do.

Shamina

June 10, 2009  06:10 pm

Mr. Rea, you don´t need to say anything more as you have spoken too much for the LTTE. You can take the opportunity to make our NIB look like fools. But they are not !Sri Lanka may be poor - But we are not a country full of Idiots ! Please remember that ! Better keep your mouth shut for some time. Albert Kalupahana Germany

Albert Kalupahana - Germany

June 10, 2009  05:53 pm

If you are supporting a terrorist group. You are a terrorist. You are not welcome to sri lanka . Find another country to mess up. You can keep talking till you die , nothing will change. I understand your problem , you are not getting paid any more by LTTE. Sorry find another terrorist group in another country. Google and find out which country you can mess up and get paid . All the best We are not welcoming terrorist supporiters.

sumedha

June 10, 2009  05:49 pm

There is nothing to shame by Sri Lankans. They have to shame on their selves, they way help to LTTE and how innocent tamilians suffer due to these kind of idiot politians in overseas. They just play a game with developing countries, they are violation all human rights in their own, even by trying to insult Sri Lanka, their violating rights of Country call Sri Lanka

Nalin

June 12, 2009  02:50 am

mr bob rae i like to invite you as tourist peacefull srilanka get to beach and enjoy spend money come with returned ticket we know how to live with all community with peace forget about ltte now is dead no more

faaisal

June 12, 2009  06:10 am

Mr Bob Rae, if you are so worried about the tamil cause, why don´t you speak up about the plight of the palastine. Palestines has been in refugee camps for over 60 years. That is because of your roots, being a Jew. Go figure !!

ps

June 12, 2009  06:27 am

in 1967 Canada deported Charles De gaulle for helping the quebec cause. Similarly Sri lanka deported Bob Rae for helping and being a megaphone for the LTTE.

ps

June 12, 2009  11:55 pm

Hey Bob....what happned to you man...did you try to mess with LIONS..OOOOOOOOOh.... So how do you feel today.Are you ok by now ??? Go and have a Hot Dog..but keep in mind NEVER MESS WITH LIONS....

Kiri Banda