By TOM GODFREY, SUN MEDIA
The wife and children of a senior Sri Lankan lawmaker are seeking refugee status in Canada following death threats that were made against the politician in Colombo, community members say. Suresh Premachandran, 47, is one of 22 MPs of the Tamil National Alliance in Sri Lanka. His wife, Gopilakumari Premachandran, and their three children aged 4, 8 and 12 have been living quietly in Scarborough even though their cases were flagged for further investigation by Canadian security officers, sources said.

CROSSED AT FALLS

Gopilakumari couldn't be reached yesterday but the family has been spotted a number of times by members of the community. They entered Canada more than a year ago on foot at the Niagara Falls border and filed refugee claims, immigration officers said. David Poopalapillain, of the Canadian Tamil Congress, said the community isn't surprised that Suresh has shipped his family here.

'THEIR OWN SAFETY'

"This is nothing new to us," he said. "I believe he sent his family here for their own safety." He said Suresh, who advocates a separate homeland for Tamils, has had at least two threats against his life and receives police protection.

Officials of the Sri Lankan high commission in Ottawa refused comment despite numerous phone calls. Charles Hawkins, of the Immigration and Refugee Board, said he couldn't discuss details of a refugee claim due to confidentiality laws. RCMP Sgt. Sylvie Tremblay said the force doesn't comment on any investigation that may or may not be ongoing.

Courtesy:
http://torontosun.com/News/Canada/2007/02/10/3578113-sun.html