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rfmcdonaldGrand news from the Toronto Star today: the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict may be coming to Toronto.
Tensions between Sinhalese- and Tamil-Canadian communities has been a long-standing theme in Canada, although Sinhalese-Canadians are a less organized and more dispersed community than their nominal co-nationals. It isn't a surprise that a Sinhalese Buddhist temple might have been targeted owing to the importance of religion in the Sri Lankan conflict, as Sinhalese nationalists' conception of the island as a Buddhist nation has serious ramifications; Buddhist monks, in fact, are famed supporters of Sinhalese ultranationalism.
A Buddhist monk believes a suspected arson at a temple in Scarborough is related to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.
The fire sent three monks running for safety from the building on Kingston Rd. just south of Military Trail Rd., at about 4:30 a.m. after its east emergency entrance was found burning. Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.
Nalaka, a resident monk, said he believes the incident is connected to the war in Sri Lanka. He also said the monks have been threatened in the last week.
The incident has caused upset across Toronto's Sinhalese community.
"Every single Sinhalese person is Toronto is calling each other right now," said a man who attends the temple but did not want to be named. "It's very alarming."
Fire investigator James Gillespie estimates damage at $20-30,000. Police are looking at two bottles found near the door which may have been filled with accelerant, he said
Tensions between Sinhalese- and Tamil-Canadian communities has been a long-standing theme in Canada, although Sinhalese-Canadians are a less organized and more dispersed community than their nominal co-nationals. It isn't a surprise that a Sinhalese Buddhist temple might have been targeted owing to the importance of religion in the Sri Lankan conflict, as Sinhalese nationalists' conception of the island as a Buddhist nation has serious ramifications; Buddhist monks, in fact, are famed supporters of Sinhalese ultranationalism.
