FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadian Doctors of Tamil Descent call onthe Canadian government for immediateaction in Sri Lanka

TORONTO, May 11 /CNW/ - The escalating humanitarian crisis in the North of Sri Lanka has caused tremendous burden in the Medical profession both in Sri Lanka and in Canada. An estimated 3,200 men,
women and children have been killed between May 9 & 10, 2009 in the war zone and thousands more have been injured. This dramatic escalation adds to the thousands previously reported killed and injured by the United Nations since the escalation began in January.

The Canadian Medical Dental Development Association(CMDDA) call on the Canadian government to immediately:

1) Begin diplomatic pressure on Sri Lankan government and the United Nations to call an immediate and permanent ceasefire to halt this ongoing medical humanitarian tragedy;

2) Demand the immediate supply of food, water and medicine to people in "no-fire zone" and internment camps by NGOs;

3) Begin dialogues with both sides to ensure the safety of the 130,000 civilians trapped in the conflict zone;

4) Cease all direct monetary aid to the Sri Lankan government and divert through NGOs to ensure delivery of necessary humanitarian assistance to the affected; and

5) Use legal expertise to initiate the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and other means to secure Tamils from the FAILED-STATE, Sri Lanka.

Dr. V. Santhakumar, President of the CMDDA stated "130,000 civilians remain trapped in the "no-fire zone" including women and children. They are suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and trauma from the daily military attacks. There are absolutely no anesthetics, antibiotics, blood products or oxygen available for treatment of the injured. The Canadian government and the United Nations must intervene."

Dr. V. Santhakumar also stated "About 195,000 civilians who escaped the conflict area and are confined in internment camps have been left without food, water, shelter, medical care and clothing. The Canadian government cannot wait around any longer, they must act now!" TheUnited Kingdom's "Channel 4" aired the first independent video clip of the horrible conditions inside the internment camps. The video can be seen here: http://tiny.cc/CMDDA1 Additional reports of the escalating humanitarian crisis can be found through the Human Rights Watch http://tiny.cc/CMDDA2 andLondon's Telegraph News http://tiny.cc/CMDDA3

For further information: Dr. V. Santhakumar, President, (416) 230-0424; Dr. J Rajendra, Past President, (416) 627-9633; Todd Ross, Coordinator, (416) 505-4740 or www.tamildoctors.org