Tamil Genocide Monument in Canada: Foreign Ministry summons Canadian Envoy

 The proposed Tamil Genocide Memorial in the Canadian city of Brampton. Pix: Tamilgencoidememorial.org

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner today to reiterate Sri Lanka’s strong objections conveyed on several occasions previously to the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the Tamil Genocide Monument at the Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada on Wednesday (August 14), Foreign Ministry in Colombo said.

Emphasizing that the Sri Lankan government "categorically rejects this outrageously false narrative, which is being perpetuated for vote bank politics within Canada, Minister Sabry noted that ill-advised action by the City Council of Brampton "is offensive to all peace-loving people in Canada and Sri Lanka. The so-called allegation of a genocide in Sri Lanka is a fabrication based on malicious disinformation and is not substantiated by any responsible authority, nationally or internationally,"

"The Government of Sri Lanka has consistently engaged in efforts to foster reconciliation and build lasting peace following the end of the conflict despite the economic crisis in the country for the last two years, and such divisive action undermines those efforts by glorifying terrorism and sowing discord and mistrust which democratic countries, including Sri Lanka and Canada, cannot endorse," the statement read.

The Foreign Minister also requested that the Government of Canada intervene and take action to prevent the construction of this monument as well. 

In February, the Brampton city council approved the final design for the Genocide Memorial even after three years passed since it was promised. 

According to Canadian media reports, the 4.8-metre-tall stainless steel monument will be built in Chinguacousy Park in the Bramalea area. 

Earlier Barmpton Mayor Patrick Brown promised to build a war monument after the memorial erected within the premises of the University of Jaffna was torn down in January 2021 by authorities.

The removal of the war memorial was condemned by both locally and in diaspora Tamil communities including those Sri Lankan-origin Canadians residing in Brampton. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 16/2024)