Tamil refugees already in Canada went home during ceasefire

There is nothing unusual or suspect about Tamil refugees in Canada who have gone back to Sri Lanka, says the Canadian Tamil Congress.

After all, there was a four-year cease-fire in the civil war and they were "good years," according to CTC national spokesman David Poopalapillai.
"Lots of people went back during those days, lots of people," he said. "They were good years and people thought that peace had returned to Sri Lanka, that everything had gone back to normal.

"People were hoping for the good old days."

The Canadian Border Services Agency says during the cease-fire period, 2,753 Sri Lankan nationals filed for refugee status at Canada's borders or points of entry. Since 2007 — when the civil war began again — including the 492 migrants aboard the MV Sun Sea, 1,790 Sri Lankan nationals have filed for refugee status.
As reported by QMI Agency, 22 or 31 Tamil refugees in Canada surveyed by the government in August admitted they had travelled back to Sri Lanka for vacations, business or to sponsor a family member.
As for the Tamils who arrived by boat ten days ago, Poopalapillai said many of them have "lots of very terrible stories to share.
"If there are any undesirables, then eliminate them. Our system (in Canada) has the capacity, or efficiency, to weed out those undesirable elements."

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner said Monday they make no distinction between statuses when issuing Sri Lankan nationals travel documents so they can go home, so refugees in Canada aren't screened by the Sri Lankan authorities when they visit their homeland.

"If they are Sri Lankans and they come to the High Commission and say they want a travel document, we issue a travel document," said Chitranganee Wagiswara. "We don't know whether they are refugees or citizens who have status here.

"We don't deprive them of travel documents."

Wagiswara said her government also isn't interfering with the 492 Tamil migrants who arrived on the MV Sun Sea.

"It's up to the Canadian government. They are in Canada, and the Canadian government is dealing with them according to the Canadian laws," she said. "The Canadian government will go through the cases and decide," who can stay.

All 492 Tamil migrants are seeking refugee status, and all are currently being processed by Canadian border officials.