The Australian Tamil Congress urges the Australian media to rely on verifiable information from credible sources when dealing with sensitive issues. The article titled "Half of Sri Lankan arrivals have ties to Tigers" which appeared in The Australian on 14 July 2010 relies heavily on Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe, a self proclaimed defence analyst whom investigation reveals is only a Masters Student.

His inflammatory claims are not sourced but he has the gall to claim that credible and researched positions such as that of the UNHCR are "ridiculous". His posturing clearly outlines his ulterior motive of a smear campaign targeting the Tamil people. His reference to Sri Lankan Government claims that asylum seekers have Tiger connections cannot be relied upon. The Sri Lankan government, now facing a potential war crimes investigation has systemically sought to label Tamils as Tigers or potential terrorists in order to justify their collective punishment of a persecuted minority.

A similar campaign against Tamil asylum seekers in Canada was waged by the now discredited academic, Rohan Gunaratne. The Canadian media reported last week these claims had been proven to be fabricated -

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/proof+migrants+were+Tamil+Tigers/3259322/story.html

Clearly this agenda of labelling is being spread to Australia.

"Why would one publish an article from a self anointed defence analyst with obvious vested interests in spreading rumour and mistruths about the Tamils?" asks Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress.

Media contact:

Dr Sam Pari – 0433 428 967

South Asian Analysis Group – The International Dimensions of the conflict in Sri Lanka

Guest Column by Ana Pararajasingham

(The views expressed by the author are his own)

In May 2009, the three decade long armed rebellion in Sri Lanka ended with the defeat of the Tamil Tiger forces. Beijing provided Colombo not only with military supplies but also diplomatic cover to prosecute the war. China, however, was not the only international actor whose support helped Colombo to vanquish the Tamil Tigers. It was also due to India’s logistical support to cut off Tigers’ weapons supply. Then there was Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s ally of several decades. Iran and Russia had entered the fray invited by Colombo at the behest of China to dilute Indian influence. India’s attempt to balance China was driven by the logic that it could not sit back and surrender Sri Lanka into China’s embrace. New Delhi wanted to ensure that Colombo stayed within its orbit. More..

The Australian - Tamil refugee, Brami Jegan, seeks Senate seat

Senate Greens candidate Brami Jegan, a former banker and journalist, at Sydney's Darling Harbour. Picture: Amos Aikman *Source:* The Australian

"I know, my background is a bit different," the newly anointed Greens Senate candidate says with a laugh. "But I've got nothing to hide. I'm here because I want to contribute to our society."

"Boat people’ not just an Immigration issue for Australia but also one of Foreign Policy writes ATC spoeksperson, Dr Sam Pari ABC Unleashed – Asylum seekers set sail in a sea of silence

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2946853.htm