Category: News

Marking the 12th anniversary since the massacres in Mullivaikkal, Canadian politicians across all spectrums remember the Tamil genocide with remarks from Prime minister Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party leader, Jagmeet Singh, with further statements coming from leading MP’s and MPP.

Prime minister Justin Trudeau, in his statement, reflected on the ‘scars’ and ‘endured trauma’ that survivors of the massacres had to face and noted that twelve years later they ‘still seek answers, including on the fate and whereabouts of missing family members and loved ones’ and called on Sri Lanka to address the ‘underlying drivers of the conflict’.

He went on to note that Canada was part of the core group at the United Nations Human Rights Council which gave that mandate to ‘collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence’ relating to violations in Sri Lanka and added that Canada will ‘advocate for a meaningful accountability process and extend support to all those working toward justice, reconciliation, and inclusion’. Concluding his statement Trudeau called on all Canadians to ‘take time today take time today to recognize the important contributions that Tamil-Canadians continue to make to our country and the adversity they have overcome’.

His full statement reads:

Today, on the 12th anniversary of the end of armed conflict in Sri Lanka, we remember all those who were killed, or injured, and all who were impacted by the many years of conflict, including during the last phase of the war in Mullivaikal. We also offer our deepest sympathies to the survivors and their families, and to everyone living with the pain and trauma caused by this conflict.

“Twelve years later, the wounds and scars of this conflict linger as survivors and all those who faced adversity, suffered loss, and endured trauma still seek answers, including on the fate and whereabouts of missing family members and loved ones.

“Canada was part of the core group at the United Nations Human Rights Council this past March where the High Commissioner for Human Rights was given the mandate to ‘collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence’ relating to violations in Sri Lanka.

“On this anniversary, Canada reiterates its call to the Government of Sri Lanka to find a solution to the underlying drivers of the conflict. We will continue to advocate for a meaningful accountability process and extend support to all those working toward justice, reconciliation, and inclusion, all of which underpin long-term peace and prosperity in the country.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to take time today to recognize the important contributions that Tamil-Canadians continue to make to our country and the adversity they have overcome.

Jagmeet Singh – Leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP noted how the ‘ Tamil Community has shown incredible resilience despite the genocidal campaigns and genocide perpetrated against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan government’. Commenting on the passing of the Tamil Genocide Education and remembrance week in Ontario, he called it a ‘powerful step forward in remembering our history’.

Marking the 12th anniversary of Mullivaikkal, Gary Anandasangaree; MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; spoke in parliament and maintained that Tamils would continue their struggle until justice was achieved.

His full statement reads:

Madam Speaker, on May 18, Tamils in Canada and around the world will mark the 12th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide.

They will mourn, they will grieve, they will commemorate and they will resolve to never again be witness to such genocide and atrocity in our world.

Sadly, this right to commemorate itself is under attack. The Sri Lankan state continues to desecrate memorials and threaten those who commemorate.

Despite these restrictions, Tamils on the island and around the world will join hands on May 18 in person or virtually to pay tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters, and recommit to ensuring that Tamils can live on the island with freedom, equality and self-determination.

We will continue to be resilient and never be silenced. The monuments to those who were lost are etched in our collective memory and in our hearts.

The march towards justice is long and painful, but we will continue until justice is served.

Vijay Thanigasalam – MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park

Vijay Thanigasalam MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park noted that the ‘history of Tamil people In Sri Lanka has been marked by endless persecution and anti-Tamil pogroms, leading to the genocide of the Tamil people’ and an important step for the community to heal is the ‘acknowledgement and recognition’ of this genocide.

The member for Scarborough-Rouge Park also called for a minute’s silence to be marked in the Ontario Provincial Parliament.

Doug Ford – Premier of Ontario

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party opened his statement ‘honouring innocent lives lost during the Tamil genocide’ and paid tribute to the ‘resilience and strength’ of the Tamil community. He noted that the ‘atrocities’ of the Tamil genocide must ‘never be forgotten’.

Andrea Horwath – Leader of the Ontario’s Official Opposition NDP

Andrew Horwath, emphasised the continued support of the New Democratic Party for the ‘ongoing struggle for justice, self-determination and accountability for this historical truth’ the later in reference to the peak of the genocide during the Mullivaikkal massacres. She explained that the continued advocacy of Tamil-Canadians ‘gives us all hope’ despite all the hardships endured by the community. Concluding her statement she noted that despite these hardships, ‘there will be justice, peace and recognition for the people of Tamil Eelam’.

Her full statement reads:

This May marks 12 years since the Mullivaikkal Massacre in Sri Lanka.

New Democrats join the Tamil community in solidarity and support for your ongoing struggle for justice, self-determination and accountability for this historical truth.

In this past year, we have seen many concerning instances of the work of Tamil activists, journalists and students in Sri Lanka and around the world coming under attack.

Yet the Tamil community has persevered and continues to advocate for what is right.

New Democrats have always been proud to stand with you whether it was joining community leaders and youth at the blockade of the Gardener Expressway in 2009 or in 2016, when I hosted the first Tamil Genocide remembrance ceremony at Queens Park, Or this May when we were proud to support the passage of Bill 104 into law.

The NDP is here for Tamil Canadians, and we remain committed to working closely with you on issues that matter to your community. Your advocacy gives us all hope that despite everything that the Tamil community has endured, there will be justice, peace and recognition for the people of Tamil Eelam.

Thank you, and together may we remember.

John Tory – Mayor of Toronto

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto noted how ‘we must never allow for such dark chapters of our history to repeat itself’ and concluded his statement in paying his respect for Tamil Genocide Remembrance day which Tory noted has been ‘officially recognised by the Ontario Legislature’.

Bill Blair – MP for Scarborough Southwest

Bill Blair, MP for Scarborough Southwest echoed Gary Anandasangaree statement and noted that that on May 18 ‘we stand with the Tamil community in memory of the suffering that was experienced and those who are still impacted by the trauma of this war.’

Anita Anand – MP for Oakville

Anita Anand, MP for Oakville echoed Gary’s statement in Parliament and marked May 18 th as a day to ‘honour the memory of those who lost their lives, went missing or were displaced’

Caroline Mulroney – MPP for York-Simcoe

Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe noted that ‘today, May 18, we recognize Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day’ and commented on the passing of the Tamil Genocide Education Week act in Ontario, ‘ensuring that we will forever remain vigilant about this tragedy’.

Doly Begum – MPP got Scarborough Southwest

Doly Begum noted that the ‘[Sri Lankan] state committed gross human rights violations against Tamil civilians’ and that ‘today we honour those innocent lives lost’.

Patrick Brown – Mayor of Brampton

Patrick Bown, Mayor of Brampton commemorating Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day issued a proclamation in Brampton City Council declaring May 18, 2021, as ‘Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in the City of Brampton’.

He noted that ‘May 18 serves as a reminder of the Tamil ethnic cleansing and genocide and provides an opportunity for the survivors in Canada and around the world to reflect on the enduring lessons of ethnic cleansing and genocide and rededicate to peace and protection of Human Rights.’

Read the full proclamation below:

The Tamils in Sri Lanka were subject to severe persecution, human rights violations, ethnic cleansing and genocide based on their ethnicity.

Over 40,000 Tamil civilians lost their lives during the last stages of the war in May 2009 and over 100,000 lives were lost in the three decade of struggle for Human Rights in Sri Lanka since 1983.

The 300,000 Tamils who have made the Canada their home have worked hard to rebuild their lives in their new found home, have greatly enriched our country through their leadership in business, academia, government, science, and the arts, and have inspired young generation to become successful and contributing citizens.

May 18 serves as a reminder of the Tamil ethnic cleansing and genocide and provides an opportunity for the survivors in Canada and around the world to reflect on the enduring lessons of ethnic cleansing and genocide and rededicate to peace and protection of Human Rights.

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Patrick Brown, on behalf of Brampton City Council, do hereby proclaim May 18, 2021 as “Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day”in the City of Brampton.

Martin Medeiros – Regional Councillor for Wards 3 & 4 the city of Brampton and Region of Peel.

Martin Medeiros, remembered ‘those that suffered death, injury, and displacement during the conflict’ and noted the passing of a motion earlier this year directing the City of Brampton to work with the Tamil community to construct a memorial commemorating the loss of life.

The annual ceremonies held by the Sri Lankan armed forces on May 19, to mark the defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the observances held by Tamil political leaders on May 18 to mark what they consider “genocide”, keep alive the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamil nationalisms, which have marked post-independence Sri Lankan politics.

This year, to prevent the Tamils from commemorating their dead at Mulliwaikkal (the scene of mass killings at the tail of the 30-year war) the Lankan government has used the COVID-19 pandemic to isolate the place along with the adjacent areas of Mullaitivu, Pudukudiyiruppu, and Mulliyawali.

On May 12, unidentified persons destroyed a memorial “tupi” (stupa for the dead). The Tamils suspect that the army had done it, though the army has denied it.

Over the years, the observances of the Tamils on May 18 have gained international attention thanks to the growing influence of the Tamil Diaspora and the active post-war involvement of the international community headed by the US and its Western allies under the umbrella of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

In response to this, Sri Lankan governments have reacted through sharp denials. They maintain that the charge of genocide is based on biased inputs from interested parties.

The high point on the 12 th. Anniversary of the end of the war this year is the passing of a bill in the Ontario provincial legislature on “genocide” in Sri Lanka. Bill 104, the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, establishes seven days each year, May 11 to 18, during which Ontarians “are encouraged to educate themselves about, and to maintain their awareness of, the Tamil genocide and other genocides that have occurred in world history.”

Infuriated by the ‘genocide Bill’ passed by Ontario Legislative assembly, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena summoned Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon and expressed Sri Lanka’s deep concern. The Minister pointed out that the position taken by the Ontario Legislative Assembly contradicted the Canadian Government’s stand.

Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage pointed out to the Canadian High Commissioner the potential harm Bill 104 could cause to the reconciliation process, peace building in Sri Lanka and bilateral relations.

Along with this, on May 12, unidentified persons destroyed a memorial “thupi” for the Tamils who were killed in Mulliwaikkal in the last days of the war. Stones kept for building a better stupa were removed so that when Tamil politicians and their followers gather there to pay homage on May 18, they do not have a focal point. The government however denied that the army had destroyed it.

Reacting to this, the former Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V.Wigneswaran, who is now an MP, issued a press release saying that the government’s efforts to hide the “genocide” will fail because, one day, the international community would surely recognize what happed in Mulliwaikkal was genocide. He appealed to the Tamils to observe the day, but strictly in accordance with pandemic regulations.

The Democratic Peoples’ Front leader Mano Ganesan condemned the destruction of the monument and pointed that the government could not prevent Tamils from mourning their war dead while allowing the revolutionary Sinhala organization Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to pay homage to its dead. He appealed to Tamil leaders to seek the support of progressive Sinhalese politicians and Buddhist monks for their reasonable demand for equality in commemorating the dead in conflicts.

In the Indian State of Tamil Nadu, home to nearly over 67 million fellow Tamils, Tamil nationalists, LTTE and Tamil Eelam supporters have already started observing Mulliwaikkal Day. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko, who is an MP, paid homage to the dead. The object of veneration for him and his followers, was a map of Tamil Eelam with a picture of the 12 year-old Balachandran, the slain son of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, superimposed on it.

Meanwhile www.army.lk said that the Sri Lankan Security Forces are all set to remember the fallen war heroes at the National ‘Ranaviru’ monument in Battarmulla on May 19. The ceremony would be witnessed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other dignitaries of the Sri Lankan State.

The website said that 23,962 army, 1160 Navy, 443 Air Force, 2598 police and 456 Civil Security personnel, a total of 28,619, had made the supreme sacrifice in the fight against LTTE terrorism before May 2009.