TYO - Canada
To work towards the enhancement of the Tamil Nation and to provide an avenue for the betterment of Tamil youth in canada
TYO
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Contents Feature Article Tamil History World History June - Youth Canada June - World Youth July - Youth Canada Did You Know? Youth Reflection
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Recent activity by the international media and United Nations Panel is a great motivation to the Thamil community. The release of the UN Panel report regarding the genocide in Sri Lanka was a huge benefit and a much anticipated moment. In sequence the documentary released by Channel 4 further showcases the need for justice for Thamils who suffer by the genocide in Sri Lanka. The experience from hearing of genocide and torture as opposed to viewing visuals of the last moments of people’s lives, the disrespect Thamils receive even after having their lies taken away, how a father feels guilt for not saving his child when really the government was to blame are merely a glimpse of a Thamilan’s life that thanks to Channel 4 the world can see. The recent documentary released by Channel 4 “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” documents the torture, abuse, ‘living’ conditions and horrific footage of what continues today. The documentary is an important resource for both the Thamil and international community. Thamils, in particular Thamil youth/students, must view the documentary to digest that
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our community is experiencing such agony and as students we must contribute to Pon.Sivakumaran’s initiation and educate the world at every possible opportunity. For the international world, the documentary serves as strong evidence that showcase that what the Thamil community says are not stories but FACTS. It is not difficult to look for evidence that supports facts; unfortunately, it seems to be difficult to find appropriate responses to such evidence. As Thamil students/youth we must not wait for an opportunity to rise as time is of the essence however create opportunities ourselves to accomplish our goals. We are more than well aware of the atrocities our people face and we will shoot with the power of our knowledge, fight with facts, over power with our unity and rise to victory! Youth, the leaders of tomorrow are being killed today and what you are going to do about it is entirely in your hands.
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Feature Article
Killingfields Require International Action
The horrific, gruesome and chilling documentary highlighting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan government, broadcasted by Channel 4, further strengthens the call for an immediate independent and international investigation. May 2009 was marked by the height of the genocidal onslaught committed by the Government of Sri Lanka against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. With the failure of international bodies to uphold human rights, tens of thousands of Tamil civilians lost their lives and countless others were maimed and injured in May 2009 alone. The deliberate expelling of non-governmental organizations and the United Nations by the Sri Lankan state created a situation where a “war without witness” could take place. The slaughter of Tamils reached genocidal proportions in Mullivaikal, where over 50,000 Tamils were slaughtered in cold blood within fortyeight hours. Following the massacre, 300,000 Tamil civilians were illegally forced into Sri Lankan government-run detention camps and denied their civil liberties. The using of food, water, medicines and rape as a weapon and executions of Tamils has been extensively reported by Tamil sources and further authenticated by the Channel 4 documentary. Currently, after nearly two years since Mullivaikal, thousands of Tamil Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are still languishing in the Sri Lankan government run, in-adequately managed, poorly fed, military guarded, and over-crowded detention camps. TYO further recognizes that the Government of Sri
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Lankan has been tirelessly working to further marginalize the Tamils in their homeland. Furthermore, the Government of Sri Lanka has been working to eradicate all sources of evidences of the genocide that took place at the height of the war. The Sri Lankan government continues to colonize traditional Tamil lands in an attempt to break the continuity of the Tamil homeland. The security situation for Tamils has not improved either. Thousands are still kept in secret detention camps which have been justified by the Prevention of Terrorism Act which has not been repelled. Two years since May 2009, our brethren continue to suffer. TYO – Canada hopes the Channel 4 documentary would bring renewed attention and pressure to Sri Lanka’s horrendous human rights record, war crimes and crimes against humanity charges. TYO urges the Canadian government to take meaningful actions and work with its international allies to bring justice to the victims and survivors of the Tamil genocide. Furthermore, TYO urges the international community and the United Nations to act responsibly and morally to bring justice for the Tamils. TYO reiterates that only a just and honorable political solution meeting the political aspirations of the Tamil people can permanently end the conflict in Sri Lanka. TYO urges the international community to play a constructive role in creating the atmosphere in Sri Lanka where Tamils can freely voice their political aspirations.
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Students Uprising Day On June 5th 1974, a 24 year old youth named Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran consumed cyanide and took his life to avoid being arrested by the Sri Lankan police. Tamils have accepted Sivakumaran as one of the pioneers of the Tamil liberation struggle that stood up for the right to selfdetermination of the Tamil people. Student Uprising Day (Manavar Eluchi Naal) is celebrated throughout the world to mark his memorial anniversary.
Sivakumaran, born into the family of a passionate Federal Party supporter, had his early schooling at Urumpirai Hindu College and his GCE Advanced Level studies at Jaffna Hindu College. He joined Kokkuvil Junior Technical College for his professional education. During this period, “Policy of Standardization” was introduced by government of Sri Lanka. This resulted in systematic elimination of Tamils students from universities as a result of quotas set by geographic district. Previously, university admissions were based on academic merit, following this policy, only a mere 30% was based on academic merit, and the rest was based on geographic district. This systematic state-sponsored scheme to reduce the enrolment of Tamil students had obvious repercussions; it limited the opportunities for Tamil students. Slowly, less Tamils had access to education, and slowly, they were filtered out of public service, and professional areas of employment. Eventually, this lowered their standard of living, and reduced their opportunities for betterment. Pon.Sivkumaran joined the Tamil Students Union (TSU) in 1971, a year after its formation, in order to voice against the “Policy of Standardization”. However, he soon came to the realization that armed struggle was the only option to win the freedom as peaceful demonstrations of Tamils against
Once he was released from prison, he involved himself in various forms of struggle. At this time, Fourth International Tamil Conference was to be held in Jaffna. Sivakumaran played a leading role in the Tamil Research Conference Volunteer Corps. He helped decorate Jaffna city and turn it into a cultural park in just three days. The event was a huge success. Nevertheless, Sri Lankan police who became envy of the success of the event opened fire on the spectators at the closing ceremony. Nine innocent spectators were killed in this indiscriminate firing.The deaths pained the hearts and wounded the feelings of the Tamil people, youths the most. Pon.Sivakumaran became furious of the killings, and publicly vowed to kill the police officer Chandrasekera. On June 5, 1974, he was cornered by police. As he had already decided, he swallowed the cyanide and attained martyrdom. His death inspired many Tamils youths to join the armed struggle. Youths lined up before Sivakumaran’s body when it was laid on the funeral pyre and took the collective pledge; In the name of Sivakumaran, in the name of his soul and body we undertake to continue the struggle to gain independence for Tamils and until we gain that we will not retreat or rest. His commitment, resolve, courage and firm determination continues to inspire Tamils youths around the world to undertake the struggle to establish an independent state of Tamileelam.
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Tamil History
“Mahatma Gandhi took the struggle of his country’s liberation along the path of non-violence but also accepted the alternative path took by Bagavathsingh. Similarly I accept Sivakuman’s path to our struggle as well.” – SJV Selvanayagam (Thanthai Selva)
marginalization were suppressed through state-sponsored violence and mass arrests. He carried out his first attack by placing a time bomb in Deputy Minister Somaweera Chandrasiri`s, who was instrumental in implementing standardization, car. Though the minister escaped the attack, Sivakumaran was arrested and severely tortured. He was released later. However, he was arrested again in 1971 in connection with attempted assassination of Alfred Durriapah, who collaborated with Sri Lankan government to exterminate the militant groups that were fighting against Sri Lankan government. He served nearly three years in prison and was subjected to severe torture. It was unbearable, he later told his colleagues. He told them that he had decided not to get caught by the police again:“I would rather die than get caught. It is better to die than betray your colleagues or movement to the police.” He decided to carry with him a capsule of instant-killing poison cyanide.
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World History
Tiananmen Square Massacre
Chinese troops storm through Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing, killing and arresting thousands of prodemocracy protesters. The brutal Chinese government assault on the protesters shocked the West and brought denunciations and sanctions from the United States.
fought back, stoning the attacking troops and overturning and setting fire to military vehicles. Reporters and Western diplomats on the scene estimated that at least 300, and perhaps thousands, of the protesters had been killed and as many as 10,000 were arrested.
In May 1989, nearly a million Chinese, mostly young students, crowded into central Beijing to protest for greater democracy and call for the resignations of Chinese Communist Party leaders deemed too repressive. For nearly three weeks, the protesters kept up daily vigils, and marched and chanted.Western reporters captured much of the drama for television and newspaper audiences in the United States and Europe. On June 4, 1989, however, Chinese troops and security police stormed through Tiananmen Square, firing indiscriminately into the crowds of protesters. Turmoil ensued, as tens of thousands of the young students tried to escape the rampaging Chinese forces. Other protesters
The savagery of the Chinese government’s attack shocked both its allies and Cold War enemies. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared that he was saddened by the events in China. He said he hoped that the government would adopt his own domestic reform program and begin to democratize the Chinese political system. In the United States, editorialists and members of Congress denounced the Tiananmen Square massacre and pressed for President George Bush to punish the Chinese government. A little more than three weeks later, the U.S. Congress voted to impose economic sanctions against the People’s Republic of China in response to the brutal violation of human rights.
“Tiananmen Square massacre takes place.” 2011. The History Channel website. Aug 19 2011, 2:22 http://www.history.com/ this-day-in-history/tiananmen-square-massacre-takes-place.
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Sivakumaran Memorial Cup
June - Youth Canada As part of the activities marking the 37th remembrance anniversary of Pon. Sivakumaran, TYO – Canada organized its annual soccer tournament in partnership with the Canadian Tamil Sports Association (CTSA) on Saturday June 11th.
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In Memory of Pon. Sivakumaran
On June 12th TYO-Canada organized an event to remember and commemorate Pon. Sivakumaran. Members of the community and youth arrived to pay homage to him and to remember his sacrifice. The event was marked by cultural performances, dramas, speeches, and poems performed by Canadian university and high school students.
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Thaalam
The Arts and Culture Council of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) presented its much anticipated annual dance competition on Sunday June 19 at the prestigious John Bassett Theatre in Toronto. Teams put on energetic and colorful performances, cheered on by supportive contingents from their respective institutions.A common theme was the celebration of the Tamil identity and homeland.
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June - World Youth
TYO UK - Cricket Boycott
Activists of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO-UK) organised a series of protests aimed at encouraging for a Boycott of Sri Lanka Cricket. The final protest was organized on Tuesday June 28 between 5 and 8 pm as part of their summer-long awareness raising campaign.
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ilanthalir
The Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) – United Kingdom hosted Sunday an awareness event for ‘Eezham Thamizh identity’, with an evening of music, drama, dance and poetry.The event, named Ilanthalir 2011, held at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall, began with the ceremonial raising of the Tamileelam flag.
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July - Youth Canada
Transition 101
The Tamil Youth Organization (TYO-Canada) organized on Sunday July 10th ‘Transition 101’, an orientation designed to educate about the role of TYO and the Tamil Students Association (TSA) on university campuses across Canada.The second annual event was held in Toronto’s York University. Transition 101 is designed to educate our fellow youth activists in universities about community engagement, nation-building, the importance of preserving Tamil identity, language and culture.
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I Remember Black July Youth activists from the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) – Canada in partnership with Tamil Students Associations belonging to universities organized a street campaign to remember the victims of the genocide from Black July 1983. The street campaign, “I Remember”, was organized in Toronto’s busiest section of the downtown core. Youth activists handed out the recent Channel 4 documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields to members of the Canadian public. The youth stationed in front of Union Station, one of the busiest transportation hubs in Toronto, also signed petitions to demand the Canadian government take meaningful action to support an independent and international inquiry to charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government on the Tamil people. The choosing of Union Station as a venue for the street campaign was symbolic as this was the same location Tamils gathered in the tens of thousands in 2009 protesting against the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. “Today Canadians were able to relate as to why tens of thousands of Tamil Canadians filled the streets of Toronto in 2009. It was encouraging seeing hundreds of Canadians stopping to speak with us and motivating us to continue our awareness campaign” said Laxana Paskaran of TYO-Canada. “The Channel 4 documentary has really enabled the world to see the horrific nature of how the Sri Lankan government perpetrated its genocide against the Tamil people. The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka has undoubtedly changed the minds of average Canadians who were initially skeptical of the same news coming from Tamil sources due to the negative propaganda unleashed about the Tamil struggle around the world. ” she added. The event ended with a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of Black July 1983 and the victims of all genocidal acts carried by the Sri Lankan state apparatus on the Tamils since independence.
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G for Genocide - North York
On July 18th 2011, Youth activists from the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) – Canada diversified the “G for Genocide Campaign” strategy by engaging with Canadians on their door to door campaign to educate and create awareness about the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The Campaign took place in the North York region.
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G for Genocide in - Carleton University
On July 19th, the Carleton University Tamil Students Association (CUTSA) organized an event on campus to educate to their fellow students and academic community about the horrors of Black July 1983 and the continuing genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. CUTSA handed our DVDs of the recent Channel 4 documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields. CUTSA would continue to educate to students on campus about the plight of Tamils and their aspirations.
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G for Genocide - Markham
As part of the efforts to educate fellow Canadians about the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka and the recent Channel 4 documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields,Youth activists from the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) – Canada conducted a door to door campaign in the Markham region on July 22nd 2011.
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Tamil Community in Canada Remembers
The Tamil Community in Canada organized an event on July 23rd to remember the lives lost in Black July 1983 and to demand for justice for the victims. The event was held on Queens Park, home to the provincial parliament of Ontario. The event was attended by members of parliament, mainstream student and youth activists, human rights activists and community leaders from the Tamil community.
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Blood Drive - Peel Region
TYO Canada – Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) in Partnership with Canadian Blood Services ‘”Partners for Life’ successfully completed another blood drive on Saturday July 30, 2011 at Square One Shopping Mall in Mississauga. The drives was arranged to remember and commemorate the lives that were lost in Black July 1983.
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23rd Annual Track & Field Meet
The Canadian Tamil Sports Association (CTSA) organized the 23rd annual Track and Field Sports Meet. The two day event held on Saturday July 30th and Sunday July 31st took place at York University’s Track and Field Stadium. Over 600 participants of all ages participated in this successful sporting event.
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World’s Largest Flower
Did You Know?
The largest flower in the world, the rafflesia arnoldi, weighs 7 kg (15 pounds) and grows only on the Sumatra and Borneo islands of Indonesia. Its petals grow to 1.6 ft (1 metre) long and 1 inch (2,5 cm) thick. There are 16 species of rafflesia, found in Sumatra, Malaysia, Philippines and Borneo. The species is named after the naturalist Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded the British colony of Singapore in 1819. Raffles discovered the parasitic
plant with his friend Dr. Joseph Arnold during their travels in May 1818. The rafflesia arnoldi is named after the two. However fascinating and beautiful the rafflesia arnoldi may be, it is also called “corpse flower” and really reeks, the latter to attract flies for pollination. Of about 200,000 kinds of flowers in the world, the smallest is the duckweed, which can only be seen with a microscope.
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War Crimes Day Recollection
“Mobs of Sinhala youth rampaged through the streets, ramsaking homes, shops and offices, looting them and settign them ablaze, as they sought out members of the Tamil ethnic minority.�
Youth Reflection
- London Daily Telegraphy, 26 July 1983
Throughout history, the Tamil people in Sri Lanka have been systematically mistreated. The burning of the Jaffna library, the chencholai bombing, and the tragedies endured during Black July 1983 portray only a portion of the suffering of the Tamil people. All of these historical happenings took place in an attempt to erase a part of the Tamil identity and existence. Through the burning of the Jaffna library, government officials wanted to abolish any collected works of Tamil documentaries, manuscripts, memoires, and stories. They planned and destroyed a library that held thousands and thousands of documents containing abundant stories illustrating the Tamil culture. Through the chencholai bombing, the government killed Tamil school children, claiming that the bombing was justified because the children belonged to a training camp. This was scrutinized on many counts, but in the end, it resulted in another loss of many Tamil children who had promising futures and the potential to become great educated members of society. While these historical recollections expose some of the undertakings to wipe out Tamil identity, it was Black July 1983 that stands as one of the initial occurrences of the Tamil genocide. During July 24th-29th 1983, the Tamil population in Sri Lanka became victim to horrific human rights violations. During this time period, enraged race riots had erupted in many Tamil-occupied regions in Sri Lanka. Sinhala mobs had inhumanely forced Tamil people in positions where they were subordinate to their commands. These mobs had forcefully entered the homes of Tamil people, threatened the families, stole priceless possessions, burnt down property,
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and even raped and brutally murdered these innocent Tamil civilians. Government officials watched as this took place, almost indirectly granting their approval through the course of inaction. Tamil civilians were left trying to find refuge and shelter. Their homes were destroyed, their minds traumatized, and their lives changed forever. The Sri Lankan government had even censored media so as to conceal the horror. It was a bloodbath. Tamil people were being burned alive, their bodies fuming, their thoughts scrambled, and the only lives they ever knew, suddenly became unrecognizable, almost unliveable. Today, as we remember what happened and as we try to picture what our brothers and sisters may have went through, we must realize that what we know is diminutive to what probably actually took place. Think about the agony that parents must have felt as they witnessed their children getting raped and slaughtered alive. Think of the brother who probably lost his life trying to save his family. Think of the pregnant lady who came home to find her house lit on fire, with her husband’s corpse inside. Just think. These are stories of wonder, questions, and heartache. As youth, we must ensure that we remember the devastation that took place during Black July 1983. We cannot take back the pain and sorrow, but we can acknowledge the anguish and work to bring light to the truth.
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Join TYO
Speak Out
Our doors are always open to new members that are looking to make a difference for Tamils around the world.
As Tamil youth in Canada, we have the ultimate duty of educating others, as well as ourselves of the suffering of the Tamil people. Understanding is crucial. And with understanding comes awareness, the most essential step in the path to progress.
As an organization with the interests of Tamil youth at heart, TYO provides opportunities for Canadian Tamil youth to network, contribute, and develop their skills in various areas as well. Interested in getting involved? Please contact us at contact@canadatyo.org Or visit us at www.canadatyo.org
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