The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance  (ACLA) echoes the sentiments of numerous community organizations that have raised their concerns regarding the extradition process against Mr. Suresh Sriskandarajah.  ACLA strongly opposes the efforts by the Canadian judiciary and our elected representatives to extradite Mr. Sriskandarajah to the United States. In the current climate where individuals, groups and communities have faced an unprecedented affront from the Federal Government, the actions undertaken by the Harper government in this particular case reinforces the criminalization that has been undertaken against particular racialized communities.

Our concern reaches beyond the scope of the cries for justice in this specific case to the wider discriminatory pattern how arbitrary anti-terrorist laws have been enacted on individuals and communities thus denying these individuals rights and liberties on both sides of the border. In a time period where numerous individuals have been unfairly targeted by both Canadian and American officials, ACLA cautions against any action that leads to Mr. Sriskandarahah becoming another victim in a long line of men and women who have been unfairly accused of terrorist activity.

In all accounts Mr. Sriskandarajah has shown an unyielding devotion and passion to the rebuilding of Sri Lanka, specifically areas devastated by the Tsunami of 2006, a disaster that resulted in the deaths of thousands of individuals and economic damages amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. From the information provided to our organization it seems that his individual action has benefited countless people who were impacted by this catastrophe. Where on one side Canada lauds the efforts of individuals who undertake humanitarian efforts overseas, rather than persecute him, every effort should be made to laud his extraordinary contributions for the betterment of humanity.  ACLA reiterates the calls for justice for Suresh; that Mr. Sriskandarajah should not be extradited to the United States and also that all charges against him should be dropped.