Foreign Affairs Committee on March 23rd, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Good afternoon, colleagues.

This is the tenth meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, on Monday, March 23, 2009. We are continuing our committee's study of key elements of Canadian foreign policy.

Today we will turn our attention to Sri Lanka.

In our first hour, our witnesses are Susan Johnson, director general of international operations for the Canadian Red Cross, and, also from the Canadian Red Cross, Faisal Mahboob, program manager of the Pakistan and Sri Lanka international operation.

Welcome.

From the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada, we have Yoga Arulnamby, president, and Raj Thavaratnasingham, executive committee member.

Welcome.

I see by the nodding of your head that I didn't mess up the name too much. If I did, I apologize, sir.

Our committee provides time for each witness to make a short opening statement. Then we'll go into the first round of questioning. Each party will have seven minutes for questions and answers.

By way of information for our committee, if it would be all right, we would like to reserve about five or ten minutes for committee business. Our subcommittee has a budget that they've presented, just to bring witnesses to their committee, so we'll want to deal with that.

Welcome, everyone. I will begin by asking Ms. Johnson to make her presentation.

[Susan Johnson, Director General, International Operations, Canadian Red Cross]

Mr. Chair, members of the committee, on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, I want to thank you for this opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

My name is Susan Johnson and I am the Director General of International Operations. With me today is my colleague Faisal Mahboob Program Manager, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Canadian Red Cross has been actively working in Sri Lanka for nearly 20 years. Our long-standing experience in this country qualifies us to speak to this issue today. However, before we discuss our operations in Sri Lanka, I would first like to speak to you briefly about the Canadian Red Cross and the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

The Canadian Red Cross is a volunteer, humanitarian, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in Canada and throughout the world with the assistance and dedicated efforts of over 30,000 volunteers and members and 3,500 employees. The Canadian Red Cross has a unique mandate to play an auxiliary role to all levels of government in Canada. The Canadian Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 100 million volunteers worldwide. The movement consists of several distinct organizations that are legally independent from each other but are united within the movement through common basic principles, objectives, emblems, statutes, and governing organizations.

The movement includes the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC, which was founded in 1863. It is a private humanitarian institution with a unique authority under international humanitarian law to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the federation, was founded in 1919 and coordinates the activities of 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. On an international level, the federation leads and organizes, in close cooperation with its member national societies, relief and assistance operations responding to large-scale emergencies.

The national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies exist in nearly every country in the world. As I already said, there are 186 national societies, and each acts as an auxiliary to the public authorities of its own country.

I will now turn to talk specifically about Sri Lanka. The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement has long been providing humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka. The international Red Cross movement places Sri Lanka as one of its top 10 priorities in the world. Since January of this year, the Canadian government has responded to this by contributing $1.75 million to the Red Cross movement for the humanitarian operations in that country.

Given the gravity of the situation, it would be appropriate for the federal government to consider doubling its contribution at this time. The Canadian Red Cross has been deploying Canadians to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Sri Lanka since the committee opened its operations there in 1989. As needs to assist the civilian population have become more and more apparent, the International Committee of the Red Cross has conducted its humanitarian activities with the agreement of both parties to the conflict. These humanitarian actions include providing humanitarian assistance to civilians, providing basic health attention in areas of the country outside of the reach of the government, and staffing crossing points to enable civilians to cross between the government-controlled areas and the LTTE-controlled areas, as well as visiting those detained in relation to the conflict.

In 1992 the Canadian Red Cross opened a direct relationship with our sister society, the Sri Lankan Red Cross Society. Our efforts there have been focused on building the capacity of the Sri Lankan Red Cross in responding to community needs and particularly in preparing and responding to disasters. However, nothing could have prepared the Sri Lankan Red Cross for the tsunami that struck the country in December 2004. The destruction was widespread and massive. Three-quarters of the island's coastlines felt the impact. More than 35,000 people lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands were left homeless and with no source of income.

Within days, the Canadian Red Cross, thanks to the generous outpouring of donations from the Canadian public and the Canadian government, was able to mobilize resources and join with national societies from many other countries--the international federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross--to respond to the tremendous needs. In Sri Lanka, the Canadian Red Cross response included the distribution of 300,000 kilograms of relief items. These included 17,000 kitchen sets, 430,000 personal hygiene kits, and water purification sachets that were capable of treating over 15 million litres of water. In the north of the country, the Canadian Red Cross responded to the damage and destruction of several hospitals with immediate medical assistance, training for local doctors and nurses, and equipment for local hospitals.

As the focus shifted from relief and recovery to long-term development, the Canadian Red Cross, working with the Sri Lankan Red Cross, expanded its program in support of vulnerable communities.

To date, 940 permanent houses have been constructed. But we are not only building homes, we are also rebuilding communities. To ensure future resilience, community-based organizations have been established and the members provided with leadership training. With grants administered by these organizations and after consultation with residents, community centres have been built and roads improved. The Canadian Red Cross is also contributing to improving health conditions by supporting the renovation and expansion of ten hospitals across the country. To date, eight hospitals have been fully rehabilitated and two are still under rehabilitation. This includes construction of diagnostic and outpatient facilities, doctors' and nurses' quarters, and installation of vital medical equipment, such as bulk oxygen storage tanks and distribution lines.

The Canadian Red Cross is committed to sustaining a long-term relationship with the Sri Lankan Red Cross. Our current budget is $74 million Canadian for the period of 2005 to 2015.

The Canadian Red Cross is also committed to helping the Sri Lankan Red Cross sustain knowledge and capacity gained from the massive tsunami operations. To date, significant accomplishments include renovating branch and divisional facilities of the national society, developing a strategic plan for 2005-15, and improving financial and information management systems in order to facilitate accountability and transparency of the national society.

Given our presence in the country, we have been very aware of the changing security environment. During the past two years, the Canadian Red Cross, alongside our movement partners, has been pre-positioning emergency stocks and preparing contingency plans for future humanitarian needs. This includes the provision of up to 100 tents and 1,000 tarpaulins. We are in a good position to be able to respond quickly to humanitarian needs.

However, it has become more and more difficult for the Red Cross to sustain the full range of humanitarian action as the conflict has worsened throughout the latter part of 2008 and the early months of 2009. Currently, as I'm sure the members of the committee are aware, approximately 250,000 people are caught up in an area 250 kilometres square that has come under intense fighting.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is the only international aid agency to have remained permanently in Nivani over the past four months and is operating in a highly insecure environment. Staff in the field report that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating by the day.

However, as access allows, the International Committee of the Red Cross continues to work with the Sri Lankan Red Cross to assist those affected by the fighting. This work includes: maintaining a continuous presence at all entry points; following up on detained internally displaced people, such as unaccompanied minors; provision of humanitarian assistance; provision of medical supplies and staffing medical teams; supporting the Ministry of Health team; and evacuation of war-wounded. To date, 2,400 war-wounded have been evacuated.

The sick and wounded continue to arrive at areas such as Puthumatalan, where local people have helped set up a makeshift medical facility in a community centre and school. Medical staff from the Ministry of Health are doing their best to cope with the constant influx of people injured by the fighting, but there are not enough medical supplies to meet the needs.

One of the key services of the international Red Cross movement is the family messaging service. As part of this global network, in Canada the Canadian Red Cross Restoring Family Links program helps people re-establish contact with immediate family members after separation due to war and other humanitarian crises.

In the case of Sri Lanka, we have been receiving requests from persons in Canada looking to locate their families in the Nivani area. Due to the severity of the current situation, the international committee cannot currently provide tracing services for families located in the Nivani area. However, we are providing support to tracing people who are originally from Nivani but who have left the area. To date, in Canada, we have received approximately 150 inquiries. Each person has been inquiring about family members, with 4 to 26 people per inquiry.

As the guardian of international humanitarian law, the International Committee of the Red Cross continues to remind both parties to the conflict of their obligations to comply with international humanitarian law, emphasizing that the law requires all parties to refrain from harming civilians, to allow them to receive aid, and to enable humanitarian organizations to work in safety. As such, recent Canadian government statements calling for the respect of international humanitarian law have been welcomed by the Canadian Red Cross. Also, we appreciate the financial support of the Canadian government for the humanitarian assistance programs of the Canadian Red Cross and the programs of the international Red Cross movement.

As I mentioned at the beginning of my statement, the humanitarian needs are high and continue to grow. Sri Lanka must remain a priority for Canadian humanitarian assistance. It would be appropriate for Canada to make further contributions to the humanitarian response of the international Red Cross movement, which is currently seeking an additional $19 million to continue the operations there.

In addition, full compliance with the provisions of IHL is essential to allow humanitarian organizations the appropriate conditions to provide for basic needs in the face of the growing suffering. In this regard, it would be appropriate for the Government of Canada to reiterate its concern about this issue and to make clear its expectation that IHL will be fully respected.

Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for your attention. I would now be happy to take your questions.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you very much, Ms. Johnson.

We'll move to Mr. Arulnamby.

[Yoga Arulnamby, President, Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada (ASGC)]

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, it's an honour and privilege for the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada to be invited for this presentation. I wish to extend our deepest gratitude for this invitation.

The Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada, ASGC, was formed in 1989 as a non-profit organization. It is run by university-educated volunteers of Sri Lankan heritage, and ASGC has no political affiliation. For the past twenty years, ASGC has continued to elevate the educational and professional profiles of our community and successfully help the community to integrate with the Canadian mainstream.

Having observed the recent developments in Sri Lanka, the association--for the first time--decided to get involved in the Sri Lankan crisis as the lives of the entire community here are being affected directly or indirectly by the unfolding human tragedy in Sri Lanka.

In an emergency session the committee passed three resolutions, a copy of which has been attached to this report as addendum A. The resolution, as it pertains to the two warring parties, has the following recommendations: lift the embargo on food, medicine, and other essential items flowing to the affected areas; stop indiscriminate bombing and shelling of civilian areas; cease fighting immediately and work towards a permanent and lasting solution; allow local and international NGOs and other humanitarian workers to provide much needed assistance to the trapped civilians; allow access to the independent media; and allow civilians to move freely to areas of their choice.

In the international arena, Canada has an excellent reputation as an impartial peacekeeper in conflict areas around the world. As the largest Tamil diaspora outside of Sri Lanka have chosen Canada to be their home, it is our sincere wish that our Canadian government will take an active role in resolving the Sri Lankan crisis. Therefore, in the resolution we have requested that Canada play a major leadership role in resolving this crisis.

To improve your understanding of this crisis, I must give you a glimpse of the history. It is documented that in Sri Lanka, in those days known as Ceylon, there were three separate kingdoms--two Sinhalese and one Tamil—before colonial Britain conquered all kingdoms and established one unified rule for administrative purposes. During British rule they brought Indian Tamils to work in the plantations. After giving independence in 1948, the British left the island as a secular state, with English as the administrative language. In 1956 the language of administration was changed to Sinhala only. Since then the various Sinhala majority governments have ruled with policies that discriminated against Tamils in employment, education, and political representation. Each time a Sinhalese party tried to correct some of the mistakes, they ended up unilaterally abrogating the pacts when there was a protest from the opposition Sinhalese party or the Buddhist priests.

The country was proclaimed as a free, sovereign, and independent Republic of Sri Lanka. The name was changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972. Under this constitution Buddhism also became the official religion of the state, relegating Hindus, Christians, and Muslims to being second-class citizens. With the new republican constitution, the language is Sinhala only; the state religion is Buddhism; the new name is Sri Lanka; the flag is the lion with a sword, symbolizing the Sinhalese. The government sponsored the colonization of Sinhalese in traditional Tamil areas so that the country could now effectively be known as a Sinhalese land. Government-sponsored armed groups also burned down the largest Tamil library in the Tamil area that had all the priceless Tamil history.

In the 1977 election the Tamil parties fought on one issue—a call for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka—and won 95% of all seats in the traditional Tamil area. But nothing happened to resolve the issue. Therein lies the birth of Tamil armed struggle and the current situation. Tamil militancy started with many groups; now the only active group left is the LTTE.

Since 1956, thousands of Tamils have had to stand by and watch as their houses were set on fire, their businesses were looted, and their relatives were burned to death. There were three major riots--in 1958, 1977, and 1983--and many minor ones. The Tamils were forced to become refugees in their own land, all because they spoke a different language.

I have added more detail of the history in addendum B.

Since 1980, violence has taken over the island. As the Tamils felt their grievances were not addressed through peaceful means, various Tamil militant groups started guerilla warfare, in many instances with the support of a neighbouring regional power. This guerrilla warfare became armed resistance, funded and supported by this power. Unfortunately, this interference by this regional power continues in different ways even now.

Since 1983, though various governments were elected with a promise of solving the problems, none have come up with a realistic working solution. Both the LTTE and the various governments have to accept joint blame for this status quo. Violence has been committed by both parties, as documented by various organizations, and innocent Tamil people have been at the receiving end of all these brutalities.

While violent acts committed by LTTE often get reported in the post-9/11 era, the violence perpetrated by states is often ignored and justified as an act against terrorism. The Sri Lankan army, even before the LTTE was formed, has used the most violent measures to quell any type of even peaceful Tamil protest, as from 1958 they have considered themselves to be an army of occupation in Tamil areas. In the recent past, in their effort to gobble up territory held by the LTTE, the government forces have shelled populated areas indiscriminately.

To sum up, it is not one party or the other causing this violence, but both of them. The current Sinhala government, in addition to giving a free hand to the army for its ruthless action in the traditional Tamil areas, has also suppressed or manipulated Tamil politicians and curtailed press freedom and freedom of expression and assembly, not to mention barring all types of third-party presence, whether it be non-partisan NGOs, humanitarian personnel, or media-related personnel in the affected Tamil areas. Recently a number of newspaper editors have been arrested or simply shot dead.

The current situation in Sri Lanka begs for the involvement of the international community. Whether the international community agrees or not, it is generally accepted among the majority of Tamils that the only group that is steadfast in defending Tamil rights, notwithstanding the violence, is the LTTE.

There have been other groups from time to time that have been eliminated by the LTTE or coerced or bribed over to the government side. Many Tamils consider the actions by LTTE are justified. They feel that had the LTTE not existed, the Tamil population would have been wiped out or it would have suffered more at the hands of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

I am sure you would agree that violence from all quarters must be condemned, especially if it is coming from an elected government. The Sri Lankan government has taken measures to silence the Tamil-elected politicians who were not toeing the government line--for example, within the past two years two of my former classmates, who were members of Parliament for two different parties, were assassinated for supporting the Tamil cause.

While we talk about the LTTE and the government, we are all ignoring the power and influence the Buddhist priests have exerted on various Sinhalese governments. If you study the history of the pacts that were signed before the violence broke out, you will see they were always abrogated when the Buddhist priests marched, stating the Sinhalese government was giving too much to the Tamils.

The Sri Lankan constitution says the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the state to protect and foster Buddha Sasana. I quote from the recent article from the East-West Centre in the United States:

A fundamental tenet of that nationalist ideology is the belief that Sri Lanka is the island of the Sinhalese, who in turn are ennobled to preserve and propagate Buddhism. The ideology privileges Sinhalese Buddhist super ordination, justifies subjugation of minorities, and suggests that those 5 belonging to other ethno religious communities live in Sri Lanka only due to Sinhalese Buddhist sufferance.

As recently as February, there were four motions brought forward in our Canadian Parliament against a bill tabled in Sri Lanka called the anti-conversion bill.

In view of all of this, in our opinion, as suggested in the resolution, Canada should take a leadership role and use its good offices to pressure both parties to come to a peaceful solution soon. If necessary, we feel that Canada should work towards imposing sanctions and take the matter to the United Nations. Simply put, force them to sit down at the negotiation table and come out with a lasting solution. We don't think there is any better country in the world with the same credibility as Canada to better interfere in the Sri Lankan issue. Thousands of Tamils have braved the weather and have been protesting to gain the attention of Canadians to solve this problem as soon as possible. We think Canada is the only hope left to avoid a disastrous situation unfolding there.

History has shown there can be no long-term military solution to any ethnic conflict in any part of the world. LTTE is not the cause of the problem; LTTE is a by-product of the problem, and that's why the root cause of the problem must be solved. While we cannot say from here what type of solution is acceptable after nearly 61 years of suffering there, we can only voice what our association feels, that any solution arrived at must be acceptable to Tamils, and it should be modelled after what we have in Canada, with provinces adopting their own powers in an evolved form of federalism.

Presently, our main concern is that the fighting ceases and that NGOs, like the friends we have today, and other agencies, including all media, be given free access to all areas. I'm sure we will need the help of all NGOs, because without them, our people would not have survived for so long. When the conditions are favourable in Sri Lanka, NGOs and other international agencies can help in building a prosperous and peaceful Sri Lanka.

In conclusion, we would like to urge our government to do everything within its powers to bring peace to this island, known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you very much.

We'll move into the first round of questioning, and we'll go for seven minutes each.

Mr. Rae.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

I would like to thank the witnesses.

To get right down to it, I would like to know, Susan, how regularly do you receive the ICRC reports? Do you receive them on a daily basis?

[Susan Johnson]

Yes.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Are these reports getting worse? What is happening right now? At this moment, what would you say is the situation?

[Susan Johnson]

The situation is absolutely continuing to deteriorate. There's concern about access to affected populations. There was the hopeful news today that the International Committee was allowed in to deliver medical assistance to the medical post, but the situation is generally deteriorating. It's very difficult for the civilians caught up in the area. For the one international humanitarian organization that's trying to respond, the conditions are extremely difficult.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Yoga, could you or Raj tell us what you hear on a daily basis about what's going on?

[Yoga Arulnamby]

Because reporters and journalists are not allowed in, we are getting information from many who are living in Canada. So many people have died and the list is so long, but it's never reported. You see the Sri Lankan one they sell--only 100. But we get the information about our relatives who have died there, and there are thousands.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Are these people dying as a result of bombing, disease, or both?

[Yoga Arulnamby]

It's mainly from bombing. That's what we've heard about people in Mullaittivu, Putukkudiyirippu, and other areas. I work in a fabrication company and we have around 35 people--a lot of Sri Lankans. Every day two or three people go. My cousins died. It's very hard. Mostly the shelling is the main one, and the disease is on the other side. They don't have good facilities in the camps. My relatives are still in Vavuniya. You can go to see it. They don't have good sanitation facilities, and they are dying from disease because they never allow the people to leave the camp. They are very sick. Even pregnant women have died in those camps, according to reports from the NGOs.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Susan or Faisal, could you give us a bit of a sense of the conditions in the camps? These are camps to which people have either come or been transported that are supposed to be in safe areas, outside the control of the LTTE. Is that correct?

[Susan Johnson]

That is correct.

In terms of the conditions in the camps, do you want to make a few remarks?

[Faisal Mahboob, Program Manager, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, International Operations, Canadian Red Cross]

On the camps that are being managed and to which ICRC has been given access, all the internally displaced people come to them on their own. Nobody is transporting them. Whoever can make it comes on their own. For the time being, ICRC, with the support of the rest of the movement partners and SLRCS, is providing basic services there. However, we don't know how many more people will arrive and what the situation will be in a few months. For the time being, I think we are pretty well positioned to support needs within the camps only. We have no access inside the conflict zone.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

I'm sorry for being a little out of date, but there was a report two weeks ago on the ICRC website suggesting there was bombing on the beach where they were trying to get people into boats to be transported to Trincomalee. Is that still happening?

[Susan Johnson]

I think it would be useful to characterize three different terrains of action, if you like. First, we were able to provide some medical assistance to the health post that is trying to treat war-wounded and others in the area. Second is the evacuation of the wounded from the area, which is what you're speaking about, due to the attack two weeks ago. Third is assisting people who have managed to leave the area--the provision of humanitarian assistance to people outside the area.

I would characterize those as three areas of action.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

You still have two minutes left.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

I want to clarify how much money you're asking for. There has been some debate. There was some suggestion that the ICRC was asking for $19 million, in addition to the money that has been given. We've been told by the minister that money has gone to World Vision--Jim, you'd remember--Red Cross....

Deepak, do you remember what else?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

There was World Vision, Red Cross, Oxfam, and CARE.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Is it getting in? Are those other people able to get the material in, or not?

[Susan Johnson]

I'm not in a position to speak for other humanitarian organizations. What I can speak to is the work of the International Red Cross. Just to clarify, the Government of Canada has made a contribution to the appeal of the International Committee for its humanitarian action in Sri Lanka. The total budget for 2009 planned for the International Committee is in the range of $27 million Swiss francs, which is close to the Canadian dollar. The Canadian government has made a contribution of $1.75 million against that appeal so far. Today, the International Committee is still seeking contributions of a further $19 million for that original appeal. They are also considering increasing their appeal, depending on what access there is and what kinds of needs there are and what room there is for them to operate. That's the International Committee.

What I was saying in my remarks was that given the gravity of the situation, and given that the International Committee is the only international humanitarian organization with access to the conflict area, it would be appropriate for the Canadian government to consider doubling its contribution to the International Red Cross at this time. I am sure that other humanitarian organizations are responding as best they can in the areas they're able to reach.

I should say that the World Food Programme assistance to the north, for instance, is delivered by the International Committee. So it's important to support the World Food Programme and to understand the limits in terms of the actual access they have in the country. Actual access to the area, and humanitarian assistance being delivered in the area, is through the International Red Cross.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you.

We'll go to Mr. Dorion.

[Jean Dorion, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Thank you.

Does your organization, the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada, include Sri Lankans of all ethnic origins, including, for example, the Singhalese, or is it comprised primarily of Tamils?