CTC Awarded $53,000 in Successful Defamation Lawsuit Against Rohan Gunaratna

Prior to the final military onslaught of May 2009 in Northern Sri Lanka which resulted, according to UN estimates, in the massacre of 40,000 to 70,000 Tamils, the Government of Sri Lanka set out to brand all Tamils and Tamil diaspora groups, and anyone who disagreed with or spoke out against them, as terrorists. In an effort to gain the support of Western governments and its citizens, the Sri Lankan government undertook this ploy using its widespread power—through its various embassies and consulate officials, lobby firms, sympathizers and other agents. This smear campaign by the government and its sympathizers had a profoundly adverse effect on many Tamils and continues to do so today.

One such smear was made by Sri Lankan born academic and “terrorism expert” Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. In a February 2011 article published by Lakbima News titled “Gunaratna says only 1400 people died in final war, warns Canada is emerging as a LTTE hub,” Gunaratna was quoted as saying, “the LTTE is operating under the name of the Canadian Tamil Congress, which is the main LTTE front organization in Canada.” Gunaratna went onto state, “the Canadian government is aware of this and currently investigating.”

Upon becoming aware of these patently false remarks, and amidst negative media attention, Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) commenced legal action against Rohan Gunaratna for defamation. On January 21, 2014, after the case found its way through Canada’s justice system, Justice Stephen E. Firestone of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in CTC’s favour, awarding $37,000 in general damages and $16,000 in costs against Gunaratna.

In his written reasons, Justice Firestone stated, among other things, “the statements were clearly defamatory, either directly or by innuendo, because they imply CTC is involved in the commission of violent and illegal activity.” He further stated, “it is unequivocal and uncontroverted that these statements were, in fact, false and untrue”.

David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for CTC, applauded the court decision. “The Court’s decision is a vindication to CTC and its members and supporters. The surest way to attempt to destroy an ethnic group is to make its members afraid to even admit that they are part of that group for fear of being labelled terrorist sympathizers or terrorists themselves,” Poopalapillai continued. “The Sri Lankan government and its sympathizers have labelled all Tamils as terrorists for far too long—this judgment is a victory not only for CTC but for Tamils everywhere.”

Daniel Iny of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP, legal counsel for CTC in the trial against Gunaratna, stated, “For a not-for-profit organization like CTC, its reputation is its lifeblood and its currency. The Court’s decision was an affirmation for CTC and its supporters in its recognition that Gunaratna’s words were plainly defamatory of CTC.”

With the UN Human Rights Council convening in just under two weeks, the human rights situation in Sri Lanka has again become the focus of increased international attention. The Sri Lankan Government has in response accelerated its propaganda campaign against Tamils in an effort to steer attention away from mounting evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. At this critical juncture, CTC remains committed to ensuring that the image of Tamils will no longer be tarnished by the Sri Lankan government and its sympathizers.

For media inquiries and interviews please contact: Mr. David Poopalapillai – 905-781-7034, National spokesperson, CTC. Canadian Tamil Congress Head Office: 416-240-0078