According to a fax sent to the DIRB in Ottawa by the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association, the following persons comprised the Sri Lankan wrestling team at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships held in Victoria in August 1993: Rajapaksa, R.M.G.; Mohands, V.; Perera, M.L.K.; Perasanna, U.D.; Weerasinghe, K.P.D.; Gunadasa, D (25 Feb. 1994).

According to a representative of the organization, the same individuals also planned to represent Sri Lanka at the World Championships held later that month in Toronto (23 Feb. 1994).

According to a representative of the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association (OAWA) in Toronto, the individuals listed above pre-registered for the World Championships (23 Feb. 1994), but another source at the OAWA stated that upon arriving at the accreditation area for the World Championships, the Sri Lankan team complained about the cost of accommodation arranged by the OAWA and walked out without registering (25 Feb. 1994). The source added that none of the Sri Lankan team members showed up for subsequent competitions (ibid.). The source also stated that K.P. Weerasinghe pre-registered as the team's coach, and that M.F.M. Izamudeen pre-registered as the team's manager (ibid.).

Information on media reports of defections from the team while in Canada could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association, Ottawa. 23 February 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association, Toronto. 25 February 1994. Information faxed to the DIRB, Ottawa.

Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association, Toronto. 25 February 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association, Toronto. 23 February 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association, Toronto. 25 February 1994. Information faxed to the DIRB, Ottawa.

On-line searches of news articles.

Oral sources.