Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has urged Canada to restrict Tamil political activity linked to self-determination during a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Isabelle Catherine Martin.
Minister Herath said he asked the High Commissioner to convey to Ottawa “the need to prevent activities that promote separatist ideologies in Sri Lanka, including the recognition of LTTE insignia, and activities aimed at fostering divisions among the ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.”
He noted that political organising by Tamil diaspora groups in Canada undermines what the government describes as its efforts to strengthen national unity.
High Commissioner Martin responded that the LTTE remains a banned organization in Canada and that the federal government “does not recognise such insignia associated with the LTTE or separatist ideologies.”
The High Commissioner had also reaffirmed Canada’s support for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.