In an act of commemoration, British MPs and ministers, have issued statements marking Maaveerar Naal and stressing the right of Tamils to remember their war dead and the need for justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
The statement comes as Sri Lanka’s security forces ramp up their repression across the North-East and have brutally assaulted Tamil journalists for attempting to cover memorialisation events.
In his message, Colburn stressed that “the fight for peace justice and accountability and the answers to the questions families have about the whereabouts of their loved ones is still being fought for till this day”.
He further added that “Tamils are still facing human rights violations in Sri Lanka even now”.
“The fight for truth and justice goes on” he maintained.
Paul Scully marked the event by stating:
“My heart goes out to all those who have lost their family, who have either gone missing or died, throughout the terrible conflict. We want to make sure that we redouble our efforts to get truth, reconciliation, and justice for those families”.
Sam Tarry, MP for Ilford South
Tarry’s message called upon the British government to “play a leading role in calling out the Sri Lankan state” and stressed that any future trade deal “must begin with human rights and those conditions must be met with tangible progress”.
He further reiterated calls for magnitsky-styled sanctions on Sri Lanka’s notorious army commander Shavendra Silva, who has already been subjected to a US-travel ban for allegations of credible war crimes.
“It’s high time to act on Sri Lanka”, Tarry stressed noting that “Tamils have faced acts of genocide” and calling for an international investigation to look into the crime of genocide.
Tarry also emphasised Britain’s responsibility for the conflict in Sri Lanka due to its colonial roots. He added that Britain must respect the right of Tamils to self-determination.
“The Labour party has and always will stand by Tamil people in their struggle for justice and self-determination” he stated.
Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East
In his statement, Blackman emphasised that today marked a day to “pay respect to all those who fought for freedom and justice in Sri Lanka”.
In noting the genocidal violence during the final months of the armed conflict, he stressed that an estimated 280 thousand people remain unaccounted for and that over 70,000 died in the final months.
“Government of Sri Lanka appears determined to prevent remembrance, prevent people from remembering what happened, and indeed commemorating their loved ones. Instead, we got symbols of triumphalism and victory celebrations which led to pain and anger amongst the victim communities” he stated.
“Tamils have been prevented from remembering the father, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, they lost during the armed conflict” he added.
He further stated that “despite the harassment, intimidation, threat of arrest, and violence by the security forces Tamils have commemorated their dead in private”.
“We mourn with those families who have lost loved ones and indeed those who still have relatives which are not accounted for” he stated.
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet
Villiers marked the day stating:
“It’s important to remember all those who lost their lives during the long dispute and conflict in Sri Lanka which has seen for decades Tamils disadvantaged, oppressed, discriminated against and culminated in the civil war, including horrendous war crimes and human rights abuses”.
She further added:
“I stand with my Tamil constituents on this national remembrance day and reflect on all those who have lost their lives as part of this tragic history to which the Tamil people have been subjected”.
Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe
Barker commemorated the event stating:
“We bring to mind all the Tamils who suffered discrimination and violence in Sri Lanka. We know that hundreds of thousands were incarcerated, went unaccounted for, or died. It’s really important acts of remembrance go ahead uninterrupted so I’ve been incredibly disappointed that this has not always happened. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you remember those you loved and lost”.