The purpose of the TNGTE is to instill hope in a people that has become disenfranchised!

Canada’s Tamils to vote on transnational govt.

Assembly ineffective without world recognition, say opponents


Toronto: Tamils in Canada go to the polls on Sunday (May 2) to elect members for the first transnational government, which will represent the million-strong Tamils living outside Sri Lanka.

Polls will also be held in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Germany to elect an assembly of 135 members.

"After the war last year, the Tamils are now trying to use the democratic space to bring about consensus among Tamils," said Chandra Kanthan, a human rights advocate.

"The purpose of the government is to instill hope in a people that has become disenfranchised."

Canada is expected to have the greatest presence in the government with 25 elected members, 15 from the Greater Toronto Area.

The elections will be overseen by an independent committee made up of non-Tamil school board trustees from around the city.

Kanthan said the assembly is not seeking legitimacy or acceptance from world governments. Its initial goal is "to have a common consensus on where the Tamil community should move from here at a time when there is no political space for them to express their opinion in their homeland".

The ultimate goal is the establishment of an independent Tamil state, he said. "Eventually, we will work toward recognition, but not initially."

But not everyone likes the idea. Chris Sandrasagra, secretary of the Toronto-based Canadian Relief Organization for Peace in Sri Lanka, said the transnational government is focused on the formation of a separate country, when many Tamils want a united Sri Lanka.

He also believes that without international recognition, such a government will be futile.

"The Canadian government is not going to accept an exile government," said Sandrasagra, adding many Tamils in the city plan to boycott the election.

The vote takes place from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

An electronic voting system will be used to elect the members.

There will also be a few physical voting places in areas in the US with high Tamil populations. (Thestar.com)


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