Elect Bob Rae in Toronto Centre!

TORONTO - The recent decision by the government of Sri Lanka to formally end the ceasefire agreement with the Tamil Tigers should not be ignored by the world community, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae said today.

“This is a formal indication that the country has once again descended into war, which can only result in a humanitarian disaster,” Mr. Rae said.
“It is precisely when the parties seem most determined to find a military solution to this conflict that the world community – the United Nations, the Commonwealth, donor countries – should be doing more to find political solutions instead.”

Mr. Rae – who worked on the peace process in Sri Lanka as Chairman of the Forum of Federations – said there have already been more than 70,000 killed and hundreds of thousands turned into homeless refugees as a result of this terrible conflict.

Liberal associate Foreign Affairs Critic Bryon Wilfert condemned the tactics used by both sides and warned the situation will only get worse if the world community continues to ignore the humanitarian consequences of this situation.

“A pluralist, diverse country like Sri Lanka needs bold and innovative changes in governance, and not aerial bombings of villages and suicide bombings of civilians,” said Mr. Wilfert.

Noting that other conflicts have received far more attention, Mr. Rae said Canada’s interest in the conflict should be heightened by the fact that we are home to so many members of the Sri Lankan community.

“We need an activist, concerned response from Canada, instead of the current approach of the Harper government,” he said.