A well attended Multi-Faith Meeting with participants from all of the ethnic communities making up the Sri Lankan fabric was held at the North York Civic Centre’s Council Chamber on Saturday, September 10, 2005 to Commemorate the Life of the Late Honorable Lakshman Kadirgamar and was organized by the Sri Lanka United National Association of Canada (SLUNA). The meeting commenced with the special guests and religious dignitaries being ceremonially ushered into the Chamber with a parade of Sri Lankan and Canadian Flags.

The special guests who graced the occasion and some of whom who spoke at the function are as follows:

Hon. Bob Rae, Former Premier of Ontario and President of the International Forum of Federations
Hon. John McKay, MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Mr. A.W. Pathiraja Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Ottawa
Mr. C.S. Poolokasingham, Consul General for Sri Lanka in Toronto and his wife
Dr. Nihal Kappagoda, a contemporary of the Late Hon. L.Kadirgamar at Trinity and Oxford
Mr. Ananda Sangaree, former MP and Head of the TULF Political Party
Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General for Pakistan
Mr. Michael Schimmel, Deputy Consul General for the USA
Consul General for Japan
Mr. John Argue, Amnesty International, Canada
Key Office Bearers of various Sri Lankan Associations of Ontario

The portrait of the Late Honorable Lakshman Kadirgamar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs was carried into the chamber by Mr. Henry Dullewe, President of the Trinity College Old Boys Association and placed on a special pedestal. The youthful flag bearers placed their flags beside the portrait and bowed before taking their seats. Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner, Mr. A.W.Pathiraja garlanded the portrait.

Before the rest of the proceedings were set in motion, the audience observed a minute’s silence in memory of the late leader and other victims of terrorism in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world.

The President of the Association, Mr. Mahinda Gunasekera welcomed the religious dignitaries from the four main religions of Sri Lanka, the special guests and the entire gathering. He introduced the association as an organization that had served the Sri Lankan community for the past 22 years as an independent entity which was neither aligned with or leaning to any political party in Canada or Sri Lanka. He referred to Mr. Kadirgamar as a patriot and great national leader, and thanked the gathering for joining SLUNA on a late summer evening to remember with gratitude the services rendered by him to the motherland.
Mr. Kadirgamar’s achievements in the academic and sports fields including his election as the President of the Oxford Union were recalled, his contribution to international bodies such as the ILO and WIPO in a consultative and senior management position, his law practice in UK and Sri Lanka and his return to the island in 1988 in a tumultuous time to give back something to the country that nurtured him were brought to the attention of the audience. His entry into politics and taking up the foreign affairs position in 1994 where he outshone all others who were entrusted with this important portfolio. He read an extract from the Sunday Times editorial relating to his diplomatic finesse and his ability to articulate in advocating the cause of Sri Lanka’s fight to survive. Although a Christian, he is looked up to by the Buddhists for the instrumental role that he played in having the Vesak Day declared a Universal Day by the UN. He bemoaned that this liberal who embraced people of all backgrounds had suddenly been stilled by the bullets of a cowardly terrorist assassin espousing a cause to break up the tiny island nation of Sri Lanka. In concluding, he said; “We trust that nations such as Canada that has failed to act fully in accordance with their laws in earnestly dealing with the canker of terrorism will wake up even at this stage and act in accordance with their declared policies”. He ended by wishing the great leader perfect peace and happiness in his journey in the hereafter.

The Hon. Bob Rae said that he wanted to participate in the meeting despite several prior engagements scheduled for that evening. Mr. Rae who has been visiting Sri Lanka in the company of Professor David Cameron, Vice Dean of the University of Toronto, in an advisory capacity as experts on federal systems to Sri Lanka’s Peace Process, had met with Mr. Kadirgamar on a number of occasions. He said he had a great deal of respect for Mr. Kadirgamar’s knowledge and skills, and he agreed with the Foreign Minister that for any progress towards peace it was necessary for the non-state party to change from a militaristic terrorist organization to one that moved towards a democratic establishment by abandoning its terrorist path. He said that the Ceasefire and Peace Process was meaningless when the LTTE resorts to eliminate political opponents through violent means, and continue to recruit child soldiers, and unleash suicide bombers against Minister Devananda and sharp shooters to take out Mr. Kadirgamar. He said that he knows it is very difficult to have peace talks whilst the killings continue. Mr. Rae too is Oxford educated and been at the same Balliol College, and he was able to freely communicate with the late leader. In fact, on a recent visit to Colombo, when he visited Mr. Kadirgamar on a particularly hot day, Lakshman had excused himself for not sitting out in the garden where it was much cooler, as he was being targeted and risked being killed by such exposure. He had also added that he feared that he might be shot at while he was in his swimming pool, and his end came in a somewhat similar situation. Bob Rae considered Lakshman Kadirgamar a lion, and his sudden death a great loss to all the people of Sri Lanka and the whole world.

Next, Dr. Nihal Kappagoda spoke of how all Trinitians looked up to Mr. Kadirgamar who was a special hero who carried away most prizes for academic achievement and performance in the cricket, rugby and athletic fields. He was a skilled debater who made the fullest use of this ability in his legal career and his role as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in effectively placing Sri Lanka’s case to the world’s leaders. He also referred to the Foreign Minister’s interview given to the BBC’s Hard talk program which was earlier screened before the commencement of the event, where he was easily able to handle the aggressive and confrontational questioning to explain the Sri Lankan efforts to rehabilitate her tsunami victims. His association with the Minister had lasted in the same warm manner as it grew from the school days and contacts made later at Oxford. He thanked SLUNA for allowing the Old Trinitians to participate in remembering an outstanding product of the school who went on to serve the country well.

Hon. John McKay, MP for Scarborough-Rouge River, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, said he was happy to participate even though he had not met Lakshman Kadirgamar. He understood the difficulties facing Sri Lanka in her search for a peaceful solution. He said that Canada was involved through Hon. Bob Rae and Prof. David Cameron who have devoted a great deal of effort and time in helping the parties to understand complex issues and seek out ways of bringing unity and peace to Sri Lanka. He too would ask the same question as Bob Rae as to whether it is possible to discuss peace when one party resorts to political assassinations to advance their cause? It is the considered view of many that neither side could win through war. Even if it leads to another round of war, the parties have to in the end negotiate an acceptable solution. Canada wants peace to be established in Sri Lanka, and will continue to help the country achieve that goal.

The Consul General for Sri Lanka mentioned that as the one time Director General of the Foreign Ministry Office in Colombo he had the privilege of working closely with the departed Minister. He said that Mr. Kadirgamar was able to formulate foreign policies which helped to clarify Sri Lanka’s case to other world leaders. The minister had taken a great deal of interest in setting up a Sri Lanka Centre for International Relations, and he was happy that the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse had announced the government’s plan to re-name it as the Lakshman Kadirgamar Centre for International Relations. He considered him the best Minister of Foreign Affairs he had served under during his service extending over 20 years. He had recently met the Minister when he visited Sri Lanka in July 2005, and was deeply impressed by the Minister’s genuine desire to bring about the unity of all the people in Sri Lanka and pave the way for peace and development.

Mr. Ananda Sangaree, the leader of the TULF was happy to participate in the event to remember his friend the Late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar. He said that Mr. Kadirgamar was a brilliant intellectual who like Solomon Bandaranaike and Lalith Athulathmudali before him, had the distinction of being the President of the Oxford Union. He was aware of the tremendous effort made by the Minister to build bridges and establish a climate for peace. He was calm and gentlemanly in his ways. He said that he was one of the last to speak to Mr. Kadirgamar on the 11th of August 2005 when he attended a book launch in Colombo. He had inquired from the Minister about his security and suggested that added precautions be taken. The Minister’s reply was that some persons who had videoed the surroundings of his residence had been arrested and that the danger had been contained. However, later that night, Mr. Kadirgamar was assassinated as he came out of his swimming pool by terrorist elements. He said the Minister’s death is a great blow to the cause of peace and to all Sri Lankans. He said that Mr. Kadirgamar believed that a federal system would meet the aspirations of the minorities, and that it would open the way to unity and peace. He said that we must all strive to bring about unity among our people and achieve peace which Mr. Kadirgamar pursued. He said that Mr. Kadirgamar was worth far more to the nation than even a 100,000 LTTE cadres who are engaged in wanton destruction. He turned to Mr. McKay, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and enquired as to why Canada allows terrorist organizations such as the LTTE to operate broadcasting centres for propaganda and fundraising. He thanked the organisers for giving an opportunity to pay his respects to his long time friend and remember his services to the people of Sri Lanka and the world.

Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, the Consul General for Pakistan speaking on behalf of the SAARC Region of Nations said that Mr. Kadirgamar was held in very high esteem in Pakistan. He said he is aware of the positive role played by the late minister in building better ties and strengthening regional cooperation. He remembered attending the SAARC Conference held in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka after Sri Lanka had won the World Cricket Cup. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan was keen to give a special gift to Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, and they selected a picture of the late minister who was obviously ecstatic following Sri Lanka’s win over Australia in the World Cup Final played in Pakistan. Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar was overjoyed to receive the picture and it was a delight to give it to him. He added that Pakistan too has had to face up to terrorism after 9/11. He called on rich countries such as Canada to assist the affected countries to deal with the root causes. He was glad to participate in the meeting and said that he had very close relations with Sri Lanka’s Consul General and other Sri Lankan friends.

Just prior to the religious observances, the President of the Association called on all those present to contribute what they could to help the victims of the hurricane in the US. He reminded that our friends in America had always come to Sri Lanka’s aid, and that we should in turn help our friends to overcome the present difficulties.

The monks from the two Buddhist temples located in Scarborough and Mississauga respectively led by Ven. Saranapala and Ven. Wimalabuddhi Thera recalled the good qualities and services of the late Minister, and offered Blessings to enable him to have a good rebirth and bring his journey in samsara to an end by attaining the supreme peace of Nibbana.

Panditji Gaur of the Hindu Prarthana Samaj spoke of India’s close ties with Sri Lanka and offered prayers for the purification of his atman.

Mr. Lakdasa de Silva spoke of the Minister’s Christian upbringing and read an appropriate Psalm, and offered prayers for the Late Minister’s afterlife.

Mr. Sameem Mohamed of the Canada - Sri Lanka Muslim Association spoke of the Ministers humane qualities and offered a prayer in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Committee Members, namely Daya Hettiarachchi, Amila Jayaratna, and Sarath Kankanamge took turns to introduce our guest speakers to the audience.

Mr. Rasika Galappathy, the Secretary of the Association proposed a Vote of Thanks to the religious dignitaries, special guests, participating children and all other volunteers for helping to make the event a success.

The program was concluded with the singing of the National Anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada led by Vajira Sarathchandra on the Keyboard, with Lakmini Pinnaduwage and Kasun Jayakody on the violin. A grateful gathering that had the highest regard for the departed leader, gave a lusty rendition to both of the anthems. The meeting terminated at 7.45 p.m.