Update to Response to Information Request LKA26325.E of 21 February 1997 on the situation of Tamils in Badullah Town, Uva province, since September 1997, including information from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) [LKA28415.E]

Information on the situation of Tamils in Badullah Town, Uva Province, since September 1997 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In a 10 December 1997 fax from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, the head of desk for Asia and Pacific stated that "the ICRC in Sri Lanka concentrates its activities on protection. The delegates visit places of detention which enable our organization to issue detention certificates when requested... The ICRC is not keen on being involved in estimation or evaluation regarding abuse or discrimination of the Tamil population, especially as it concerns refugee status."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference


International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva. 10 December 1997. Fax from head of desk, Asia and Pacific.

Additional Sources Consulted


Refugee Branch, Asylum Division (RBAD), Citizenship and Immigration, Canada.

The Sri Lanka Monitor [London]. Monthly. September-October 1997 (WWW)

Note on contacting Canadian diplomatic representatives serving abroad:

The DIRB must go through the CIC's Refugee Branch, Asylum Division in order to ask questions of Canadian diplomatic representatives serving abroad. The procedures for contacting Canadian missions will cause delays in responding to Information Requests. Moreover, ability to obtain information is subject to Canadian missions' resource limitations.

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, WNC (World News Connection).

Oral sources:

Unsuccessful attempts to contact four oral sources.