About Our Series:
For Tamils, the tsunami is just the latest tragedy in a country devastated by 20 years of civil war. For the rest of the world, the tsunami forced the country's tortured politics into everyone's consciousness. Here in Toronto, it's raised new questions about the intimate connections between Toronto's Tamil community and Sri Lanka - ties that are political, financial and emotional.
At more than 150,000 people, Toronto's Tamils are the largest urban community of Tamils in the world.
 Since December, the Tamil community here raised millions of dollars in aid for victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka. Toronto Tamils have a long history of giving to charity for their homeland. Much of that charity is controlled by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.
The Tigers are a terrorist organization, notorious for their recruitment of child soldiers, suicide bombings and political assassinations.
Some Tamil groups in both Canada and the U.S. are considered fronts for the Tamil Tigers, and are banned from collecting funds.
 In our series, Whose Truth?, CBC Specials Producer Mary Wiens spoke to Tamils to examine their ties to a homeland in conflict. Ties that include support for the Tamil Tigers.
These are complicated ties. In the Tamil controlled territories of Sri Lanka, the Tigers also deliver social services and control the distribution of tsunami relief in Tamil areas.
Even the recruitment of child soldiers by the Tigers is condoned by some Tamils here in Toronto. Very few Tamils will openly criticize the Tiger movement.
In Whose Truth?, Tamils in Toronto talk about what it means to support their homeland.
AUDIO: CBC reporter Piya Chattopadhyay went to Sri Lanka to cover the emergency relief efforts. She came home with some insights into Toronto's Tamil community, and shared them with Andy Barrie on Metro Morning. Listen  . (runs 7:48)
The priest:
Father Francis Xavier is a supporter of the Tamil Tigers who sees no contradiction in his alliances. Also, Andy Barrie spoke to John Thompson of the Mackenzie Institute, who believes extortion is used to bolster local fundraising.
The journalist:
David Jeyaraj is Tamil journalist living in Toronto who believes the Tamil Tigers need a call to conscience.
The activist:
A Tamil human activist identified only as Luxmy now chooses to avoid direct confrontation and encourage the peace process through grassroots activity.
The minister:
Canada's former Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy spoke with Andy Barrie about the use of child soldiers by the Tamil Tigers. Listen . (runs 7:42)
NEXT > Father Francis Xavier
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