Tamil families of the disappeared said that more than 280 people had died in recent years, without never knowing the fate of their loved ones who were forcibly disappeared by the Sri Lankan state.
The families condemned the ongoing suppression of their 15-year struggle for justice for over 1,000 missing children, including more than 39 infants who were handed over to the Sri Lankan army during the final phase of the 2009 Mullivaikkal genocide.
During a recent press conference, members of the association voiced their dismay over the continued intimidation they face and the glaring lack of accountability from the Sri Lankan government.
These families, who have been tirelessly seeking answers have endured immense hardship in their pursuit of truth and justice. They have travelled to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and other international forums, pleading for global intervention due to the absence of justice mechanisms in Sri Lanka. Despite persistent intimidation, including police investigations and threats from Sri Lankan authorities, the families remain resolute in their determination to uncover the fate of their missing loved ones.
"We have lost more than 280 relatives in this fight for justice," said members of the association, highlighting the deep emotional toll this ongoing battle has taken on them. The families reiterated their demand for justice, urging both the Sri Lankan government and the international community to act.
On Children's Day, the families organized a vigil in Vavuniya to draw attention to their plight. S. Jenitha, head of the Association, led the protest, which was met with hostility from an individual claiming to represent the National People's Power (NPP) which is in power in Sri Lanka. This man attempted to disrupt the peaceful protest, warning the demonstrators to disperse and hurling insults at them. He went as far as threatening the women with arrest, claiming to be acting under "Anura's rule."
Despite attempts to stifle their protests, the families remain steadfast.
"We will continue to fight until justice and accountability are delivered by the Sri Lankan government," they declared, reaffirming their commitment to their struggle for truth and justice.
Fishermen from Thangachimadam, along with families of those imprisoned by the Sri Lankan Navy, have embarked on a hunger strike, demanding the immediate release of their relatives who were arrested for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters while fishing.
The protest, which began on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Valasai Bus Station in Thangachimadam, saw families tearfully pleading for the swift release of their loved ones. This hunger strike highlights the ongoing distress felt by families in Tamil Nadu, with approximately 150 fishermen—17 of whom are from districts like Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, and Thoothukudi—currently held in Sri Lankan prisons.
The families, many of whom rely on fishing as their primary livelihood, expressed their frustration at the seemingly routine nature of the arrests. They emphasized that their relatives were simply trying to support their families, calling on both the Central and State governments to intervene and secure their release. The ongoing hunger strike reflects the deepening sense of urgency and despair as the families accuse the Indian Union government of a "nonchalant" attitude in resolving the conflict between Tamil Nadu’s fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Strait.
In a related escalation, fishermen from Rameswaram have been striking for three consecutive days, urging for a permanent solution to the long-standing tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Strait. These fishermen and their families also participated in a day-long fast, condemning what they see as the Indian government’s indifference to their plight.
The situation intensified following the arrest of 17 Indian fishermen on September 29, 2024, near Mannar, along with the seizure of two trawlers, for allegedly fishing illegally. This incident is just one of many that highlight a troubling pattern of regular arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, further straining relations between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Eelam regions of Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called for urgent diplomatic intervention, writing to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to address the issue. Stalin highlighted the profound distress these repeated arrests cause in coastal communities, stressing the need for immediate diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats. As of September 23, 2024, 145 Indian fishermen and 191 fishing boats are being held in Sri Lankan custody, marking the highest number of detained fishermen in seven years.
The Sri Lankan Navy stated that these arrests are part of a special operation aimed at curbing illegal fishing activities in the northern Mannar waters. The Navy deployed Fast Attack Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft to apprehend the Indian vessels. The 17 fishermen and their boats were taken to Talaimannar Pier for legal proceedings.
In 2024 alone, Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 413 Indian fishermen and confiscated 55 boats. The issue of Indian trawlers allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters has become a contentious topic. Tamil fishing communities in the Tamil Eelam regions argue that such activities are depleting marine resources, further deepening the economic and environmental challenges they face.
The conflict over fishing rights in the Palk Strait has long been a point of tension between India and Sri Lanka. The waters, which lie between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Eelam, are rich in marine resources but are also a hotbed of contention. Indian fishermen, often in pursuit of better catches, cross into the waters, leading to frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities.
For years, this issue has strained relations, with local Tamil Nadu communities calling for a permanent resolution to the crisis.
The Indian Consulate in Jaffna organized a tree-planting campaign and a cycle parade in Jaffna town to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 155th birthday last week.
This is not the first time the Consulate has engaged in such activities. Previously, the Consulate had initiated similar cycle parades through Jaffna town to promote "awareness of Gandhian ideals of sustainability and environmental consciousness."
Indian Consul General Shri Sai Murali, Northern Province Chief Secretary Ledchumanan Ilaangovan, University of Jaffna Vice Chancellor S. Srisatkunarajah, Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director Dr. T. Sathyamoorthy, and the police officer in charge of Jaffna participated in the event.
Writing in the aftermath of the election of Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the British Tamils Forum (BTF) urged for Tamils in Sri Lanka to form a “strategic alliance” and continue their demand for self-determination.
In their statement, the BTF detail the long history of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the party of Sri Lanka’s president, of Sinhala chauvinism and deep opposition towards devolution for Tamils.
From its inception, the JVP was infused with Sinhala populism and found its support amongst the rural South. Founder Rohana Wijeweera framed Tamil demands for self-determination as in-hoc with US imperialist interests, setting in place a longstanding history of racism towards the island’s Eelam Tamils.
Though the JVP staged two violent insurrections against the Sri Lankan state that saw tens of thousands killed, it found no sympathy or solidarity for Eelam Tamils and instead remained staunchly opposed to Tamil demands for autonomy. The party went on to breed some of the island’s most fervent Sinhala racists.
BTF’s statement concludes stressing the need for a political solution that acknowledges “the inherent right of self-determination for the Tamil people” and urged for an “international arbitration process” to support this.
The statement follows increasing internal strife within established Tamil political parties which held conflicting views on supporting a Tamil common candidate during the presidential elections. Sri Lanka's general election is set for the 14th November.
Following his appointment to office, Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Sri Lanka’s Chiefs of Defence Forces, including the alleged war criminal, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva.
Met with the Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and engaged in a cordial conversation today (04). pic.twitter.com/iOMY4T9ejs
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) October 4, 2024
Silva, who is currently barred from entry to the United States over his role in executing Tamils, was granted an extension of service, for his position as Chief of Defence Staff in June under the presidency of Ranil Wickremesinghe. This extension will last until end of December this year.
Silva led the notorious 58 Division as the government launched a massive military assault. That culminated in the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils during the 2009 genocide. They oversaw the repeated bombing of hospitals, widespread sexual violence, torture and the execution of surrendering Tamils.
On the campaign trail, Dissanayake vowed that he would “not seek to punish” the perpetrators of war crimes during the genocidal conflict. However, his ascendancy to the presidency comes as there is growing international pressure to advance accountability for mass atrocities in Sri Lanka.
In Britain, Gareth Thomas, a government minister, had previously stated that “it is almost incomprehensible as to why Magnitsky Sanctions haven't been used against General Shavendra Silva, for example”.
“If the US and Canada can do it, why can't we do it here in the UK? We should be doing that.”
Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, Aruna Kumara Dissanayake, has made it clear that strengthening ties with India, the regional powerhouse, will be a cornerstone of his foreign policy. Within hours of his election victory, Dissanayake held his first meeting with a foreign official—India’s High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, in Colombo. He is also set to make his first official overseas visit to New Delhi, marking his second trip to the Indian capital this year alone. This represents a significant shift from the vehement, and violent, anti-Indian stance once held by Dissanayake’s party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). However, New Delhi must approach this cautiously. Unless Dissanayake is willing to fully embrace not only India but also the concerns of Tamils on both sides of the Palk Strait, progress in building these ties could quickly unravel.
The history of the JVP’s anti-India stance is not from its Marxist or anti-imperialist roots. Instead, it stems from the rabid Sinhala nationalism that has gripped the South for decades. India was equated with Eelam Tamils, particularly given the proximity of Tamil Nadu, a state of more than 70 million people with millennia-long history of ties to the Tamil North-East. There remains strong affection for the Tamil liberation struggle in the state, which once housed and supported various Tamil armed movements. Indeed, the JVP’s 1987 rebellion, which claimed tens of thousands of lives, was not a revolution against capitalism, but a reaction to the concerns that an Indian presence on the island would ‘infringe on Sri Lankan sovereignty’ and facilitate Tamil independence.
Dissanayake’s overtures come in the context of the Tamil armed movement having been defeated for over 15 years and fears of Tamil autonomy in the South overshadowed by a disastrous financial crisis. Looking North for Indian assistance, which could provide a vital lifeline for the island’s flailing economy, is now much more politically palatable. Yet, remarks from his most trusted colleague Vijitha Herath over their opposition to the Indo-Lanka Accord, the longstanding Indian distrust amongst the party’s grassroots, and Dissanayake’s refusal to disavow Sinhala Buddhist nationalism should give New Delhi reason for caution.
Under the tenure of Sri Lanka’s previous president, India rapidly expanded its footprint on the island, with a focus on the Tamil North-East in particular. Though there are concerns about the exploitative and environmental impacts of one project in Mannar, there is still widespread enthusiasm within the Tamil homeland for strengthening ties with India due to the historic bond between the regions. Even during the height of the Mullivaikkal genocide, when India supported Sri Lanka’s military offensive, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran maintained that "our people always consider India as our friend." The recent resumption of ferries and flights between Tamil Nadu and Tamil Eelam, for example, has been widely welcomed and is gaining in popularity.
Successive Indian administrations have been keen to cement further those ties, including through the construction of a literal bridge between the two regions. Tamil Nadu, India’s second most prosperous state, remains a driver of national growth and is rapidly establishing itself as an education, business and technology hub. With thousands of years of Tamil culture established across the Palk Strait, and an influential global Tamil diaspora waiting, opportunities abound.
However, Sri Lankan racism and political intransigence have long hindered the full realisation of these opportunities. The North-East remains in the grip of Colombo, with a military occupation continuing to plague the daily livelihoods of Tamils. It lags behind the island on several development markers and remains one of the most militarised places in the world. Armed soldiers are still imposing themselves in educational, commercial and even cultural events. This is in addition to the complete control of the region by the Sri Lankan state, with the lack of any meaningful devolution. Colombo continues to stifle Tamil development.
Indian officials should be cognisant of these dynamics. It is only by breaking those shackles on the Tamil homeland, that the true potential of the region can be reached. Even within Tamil Nadu too, where fishermen continue to be arrested, assaulted and murdered by the Sri Lankan navy, the demand to ensure greater freedom for their kinfolk across the strait continues to resonate.
As India’s foreign minister visited Colombo, these are issues he reported raised with Sri Lanka’s new president. But the simple repetition of the same hollow talking points that Delhi has made for years will bear the same results - no devolution of powers and the continued harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Concrete action is needed to enforce any change.
While Dissanayake’s pivot to Delhi may be a welcome development and economic issues may dominate the agenda, India should remain cautious. As the Central government should know, reliable partners in Colombo are hard to come by. The anti-Indian, Sinhala chauvinistic sentiment remains deeply embedded within Sri Lanka’s polity and previous agreements have been delayed, ignored or scrapped entirely. For the stability and mutual prosperity that Delhi seeks in the region, Dissanayake should be forced to act. Demilitarisation and devolution of powers would be a welcome first step.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Sri Lanka on Friday, meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake less than two weeks after his inauguration, and raised the issue of devolving powers to Tamils through the 13th Amendment.
According to New Delhi, Jaishankar “reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka”.
“The full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment of its Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council elections will facilitate these objectives,” the External Affairs Ministry said.
The 13th Amendment was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987, which calls for a merged North-East and the devolution of police and land powers to the province. However, it has been consistently rejected by the Tamil people as not being an adequate solution, whilst the Sri Lankan state for decades has obfuscated its implementation.
Dissanayake’s party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), staged a violent insurrection in 1987 and has been staunchly opposed to devolving powers to the Tamil North-East.
Honored to call on President anuradisanayake today in Colombo. Conveyed warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and PM narendramodi.
Appreciate his warm sentiments and guidance for the relations. Discussed ways to deepen ongoing cooperation and strengthen India-Sri… pic.twitter.com/bDIpaiT4te
Jaishankar also reportedly “raised the concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who are detained in Sri Lanka”. Throughout the years the Sri Lankan navy has repeatedly assaulted and arrested Indian fishermen, with dozens detained in recent weeks alone.
The Indian minister “pressed for their early release, as well as of their boats, and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
“A humanitarian approach focused on livelihood issues would create a durable basis for addressing this matter. A meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be timely.”
The diplomatic engagement comes at a crucial time as India seeks to reinforce its interests in Sri Lanka, particularly in the realm of business and economic collaboration in the North-East. India has significant investments in Sri Lanka, including several Indian-backed projects such as renewable energy projects in the Tamil homeland. Among these is the controversial Adani wind power project in the North-East, which Dissanayake has indicated he may reconsider.
According to Sri Lanka's President Media Divison, Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's economic rehabilitation, pointing to opportunities in sectors such as tourism, investment, energy, and dairy production. He noted that Sri Lanka could leverage India's vast market to stimulate its economic revival. He had also met Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya
Pleased to meet PM @Dr_HariniA today. Conveyed good wishes for her new responsibility.
Discussed Digital Public Infrastructure, training and capacity building. Agreed to work together to advance our partnership.
Dissanayake reportedly said he appreciated India's financial support during Sri Lanka's economic crisis, while Jaishankar also extended an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Dissanayake to visit India. It would mark Dissanayake's first overseas trip as Sri Lankan president.
The North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC) has called on Eelam Tamil political parties to unite ahead of the upcoming Sri Lankan general elections to ensure strong Tamil representation in parliament.
At a press conference held in Jaffna, the NECC emphasized the dangers of a divided electoral strategy, warning that separate bids by Tamil parties could lead to diminished representation, particularly in critical districts such as Trincomalee and Amparai in the Tamil homeland.
The committee stressed that if Tamil national political parties compete separately, the vote could be scattered, significantly reducing the number of Tamil MPs in parliament. They highlighted the importance of political unity in securing the rights and representation of the Tamil-speaking people, underlining the historical struggle for dignified political solutions.
Referring to the "People’s Manifesto for a Peaceful Settlement," issued on November 8, 2022, the NECC reiterated its call for a permanent political resolution that guarantees sustainable and dignified rights for Eelam Tamils. The committee pointed out the repeated failures of successive Sinhalese political leaders, who, according to the NECC, have consistently failed to deliver on their promises to the Tamil people.
“This election is a critical moment for Tamil unity,” a committee spokesperson stated, adding, “How long will future generations continue to face oppression and disappointment? We must unite as a community to end this suffering within our generation.”
The NECC's appeal comes at a time when the political landscape in the North and East remains fragmented. They urged Tamil political parties to evolve into a democratically functioning social movement capable of confronting state oppression and addressing the systemic discrimination faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Without political unity, the committee warned, Tamil parliamentary representation is at serious risk, especially in strategic districts like Trincomalee and Amparai, where a divided vote could weaken Tamil influence in parliament.
Phoenix TNG wrapped up its annual commemoration events for Lt. Col. Thileepan, who is remembered for his ultimate sacrifice in the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle. This year’s events took place across three countries: Switzerland, Australia, and the United Kingdom, providing a significant platform for Eelam Tamils in the diaspora to honor Thileepan's legacy.
Thileepan fasted to death in 1987, a powerful act of resistance that has become a poignant symbol in the Tamil struggle for self-determination across the world today. The commemorative events served not only to remember him but also to unite Eelam Tamils in their ongoing quest for justice and liberation.
In a notable demonstration of international solidarity, several of the events included participation from communities facing similar struggles, including the Palestinian and Kurdish communities. This collaboration highlighted the shared challenges faced by oppressed groups worldwide and reinforced a collective commitment to the fight for liberation.
Additionally, many members and supporters of Phoenix TNG engaged in a 30-hour symbolic hunger strike during this period, further emphasizing their dedication to the cause and honoring Thileepan’s sacrifice. Below are photos from the various events held across the world.
In a significant shift, the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DNA) has announced its decision to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections in Colombo, opting for the conch symbol instead of the traditional focus on the North-East. The announcement was made by senior member Suresh Premachandran during a media briefing held at his residence in Jaffna.
Premachandran emphasized that the DNA is a registered party that previously utilized the Kuthu Vilakku symbol. Reflecting on their electoral journey, he noted the collaborative framework established during the last presidential election, where the alliance nominated P. Ariyanenthiran as the common Tamil candidate. With the conch symbol, they garnered over 200,000 votes, marking a notable achievement in the previous electoral cycle.
To strengthen their position, the DNA, alongside Tamil parties and civil organizations, approached the Election Commission with a request to adopt the conch as their election symbol. The request, supported by a consensus from the General Assembly of Tamil parties and civil organizations, was accepted, allowing the alliance to move forward under the conch symbol in the forthcoming elections, he told reporters.
The announcement comes at a time when the Ilankai Arasu Tamil Katchi (ITAK), the largest political coalition representing Tamils in the North-East, is grappling with internal divisions among its constituent parties. The DNA's formation last year was a response to the need for a united front, especially as local elections are set to take place across the island.
The DNA consists of five key parties: the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Tamil National Party (TNP), Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), and the Crusaders for Democracy. These parties signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to contest jointly in the previous local elections, emphasizing their commitment to collaborative governance.
A Sri Lankan protestor attempts to obstruct a Tamil genocide memorial event in Canada in August.
The Tamil Rights Group (TRG) was granted official standing by Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission following private consultations with its commissioner, where it spoke out against the surveillance and intimidation of Tamil activists by the Sri Lankan government.
TRG took part in a critical public consultation panel alongside other diaspora organizations to address growing concerns over foreign interference in the affairs of diaspora communities in Canada. The panel sought to provide insights on how Canada could effectively counter such interference, particularly from foreign governments like Sri Lanka.
During their submission, TRG said it highlighted the “alarming tactics employed by the Sri Lankan government to target Tamil Canadians”. These tactics include surveillance, disinformation campaigns, smear attacks, and the intimidation of activists. According to TRG, such actions pose a serious threat to the community’s pursuit of justice and accountability for the genocidal crimes committed against Tamils by the Sri Lankan state.
The concerns come after it was recently revealed that Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Toronto, Thushara Rodrigo, has formally written to the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, in an attempt to halt the construction of a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Tamil genocide. The letter, sent in May 2024 and exclusively released by the Tamil Guardian, claims that the monument would “severely disrupt communal harmony” in Canada and conveys what the Consul General described as a “deeply distorted and false message of violence.”
The move by the Sri Lankan government has sparked further outrage, as it continues to deny responsibility for the atrocities committed against Tamils during Mullivaikkal genocide in 2009. Despite overwhelming evidence—including the mass killings of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians, the targeting of hospitals, widespread sexual violence, and the execution of surrendering Tamils on camera—Sri Lanka refuses to acknowledge or account for the atrocities.
In response to such ongoing denials and interference, TRG presented six key recommendations to the Foreign Interference Commission, emphasizing the need for Sri Lanka to be held accountable and for Canada to protect its citizens who advocate for justice. The recommendations are as follows:
1. Public Education on Foreign Interference: Empower Canadian communities to identify and respond to foreign interference, ensuring that advocates are aware of the resources available to confront these threats.
2. Enhanced Accountability: Strengthen existing sanctions and introduce additional measures targeting Sri Lankan officials responsible for human rights abuses.
3. Support for Independent Investigations: Continue backing the UN Human Rights Council’s efforts and reinforce the Sri Lankan Accountability Project (SLAP) mandate to investigate human rights violations.
4. Referral to International Courts: Utilize international law mechanisms to hold Sri Lankan officials accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide by referring cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
5. Utilization of Universal Jurisdiction: Encourage legal action against war criminals in Canada through the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing them to be prosecuted regardless of where the crimes occurred.
6. Formal Recognition of the Tamil Genocide: Advocate for the official recognition of the Tamil genocide both within Canada and on international platforms.
These recommendations reflect the urgent need for accountability and justice for the Tamil people, particularly in light of ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan government to deny its role in the atrocities and interfere with Tamil advocacy abroad.
ITAK leader elect S. Shritharan met with newly appointed Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat to offer his congratulations and present a written request reflecting the aspirations of the Tamil people.
Shritharan congratulated Dissanayake, who was sworn in as Sri Lanka's 9th president, and expressed hope that under his leadership, positive steps would be taken towards securing the basic rights of Eelam Tamils.
"In the same way that the majority of the country's citizens have their expectations regarding governance and power, the Eelam Tamils, the indigenous Tamils of Sri Lanka, expect that their basic rights will be addressed under your leadership," Shritharan wrote. He underscored the Tamil people's enduring hope for justice, referencing the ethnic violence and three decades of armed conflict, highlighting their right to “sovereignty”.
ஈழத்தமிழர்களின் அரசியல் அபிலாசைகளை கரிசனையோடு அணுகுங்கள்!
ஜனாதிபதி அனுரகுமார திசாநாயக்க @anuradisanayake அவர்களுக்கும் யாழ்ப்பாணத் தேர்தல் மாவட்டத்தின் நாடாளுமன்ற மேனாள் உறுப்பினர் சிவஞானம் சிறீதரனுக்கும் இடையிலான சந்திப்பு நேற்று ஜனாதிபதி செயலகத்தில் நடைபெற்றது.
1/12 pic.twitter.com/qKyCtUmS7S
Shritharan stressed the ongoing impact of organized violence against Tamils in the North-East, including ethnic, religious, and cultural persecution, as well as the enforced disappearances and arrests. "We hope that such tragedies will not continue under your rule," he said.
In his letter, Shritharan called for swift action on key issues facing the Tamil community, including international justice for the disappeared, the prevention of future atrocities, the release of Tamil political prisoners, and an end to land grabs.
He also urged Dissanayake to respect the right of Tamil people to commemorate those who died in the armed conflict, emphasizing the emotional connection the Tamil community has to these commemorations. "As a leader who understands the inner feelings of our people, we trust you will ensure that our fundamental right to remember those lost in the war will not be denied."
Shritharan assured the president of his cooperation in any initiatives that move toward such a resolution.
“We demand that your leadership be one of brotherhood and peace, and we extend our full support for a future where the national ethnic problem is resolved,” Shritharan concluded.
Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has announced a reduction in the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the Jaffna electoral district, lowering the total from 7 to 6.
This adjustment affects the Jaffna electoral district, which encompasses the administrative districts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi, in the Tamil homeland. The change will take effect in the upcoming general election, set for November 14, where only 6 MPs will be elected from this district.
Though the reduction is purportedly because of changing population figures, the shrinking number of parliamentary seats raises concerns about the further dilution of Tamil political influence in a system already perceived to be dominated by Sinhala-majority politics.
Jaffna, along with Kilinochchi, was among the areas hardest hit during the armed conflict, with the local population still subjected to severe repression and an ongoing military occupation.
In 2011, Jaffna lost 4 seats, whilst in 2012 the Vanni district lost another.
Both Gampaha and Kalutara have gained a seat each according to the election commission.
On September 2024, OTA, OTACT, and OTACT Taekwondo jointly collected over 1000 lbs of non-perishable food items and handed them over to the Ottawa Foodbank as part of the Thiyaki Thileepan Memorial Food Drive effort by the Tamil Civic Action initiative. Ottawa Tamil Association (OTA) in a message posted on their website, thanked those who contributed to this great effort.
In Tamil Eelam, on Sep 15, 1987, Thiyagi Thileepan who was on hunger strike for 12 days highlighting the implementation of the Indo-Sri Lanka accord requested setting up an interim council and 5 requests: release of political prisoners, stopping colonization, and withdrawal of Sri Lankan army and police from schools and villages. Tamils were hoping that India would listen and agree. However, he died on September 26, 1987.
The National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT), in collaboration with several international Tamil diaspora organizations, hosted a panel discussion titled "Advancing International Accountability in Sri Lanka" at the Geneva Press Club earlier this month.
The National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT), in collaboration with several international Tamil diaspora organizations, hosted a panel discussion titled "Advancing International Accountability in Sri Lanka" at the Geneva Press Club earlier this month.
The event brought together experts in international law, human rights, and civil society to foster an understanding of the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka and highlight the importance of global solidarity in advancing accountability mechanisms.
The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Alain Werner, an international criminal lawyer; Sun Kim, an international human rights lawyer; and Anantharaj Nadarajah, a member of the Tamil Civil Society Forum. The discussion was moderated by Rugsha Sivanandan, Executive Director of the NCCT.
Calls for International Accountability
In her opening remarks, Sivanandan emphasized the urgent need for international accountability to address systemic impunity in Sri Lanka. She stressed the importance of establishing an independent international investigation and prosecutorial mechanism that would gain the trust of Tamil victims and survivors, ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the Tamil people are held accountable. Sivanandan expressed concerns over Sri Lanka's unwillingness to take meaningful steps toward justice, reinforcing the necessity of international intervention.
Genocide Allegations and Ongoing Human Rights Violations
Anantharaj Nadarajah, speaking via video from Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, outlined the historical and ongoing abuses faced by the Tamil population. Since 1948, he argued, the Sri Lankan government has systematically engaged in genocidal actions, including pogroms, massacres, state surveillance, intimidation, enforced disappearances, and land grabs, all of which continue today. He claimed these acts aim to dismantle the Tamil Nation and subjugate the Tamil people, including surveillance, intimidation, harassment, arrest, violence, torture, Buddhisization, colonization, militarization, Sinhalisation, enforced disappearances and land grabs. Nadarajah highlighted the government's refusal to address these atrocities, asserting that an international independent investigation is the only viable path to justice.
International Legal Pathways for Justice
Alain Werner, a seasoned international criminal lawyer, discussed the limitations of relying solely on international bodies like the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which could lead to significant delays in justice for the Tamil people. Drawing parallels to the pursuit of justice in Liberia and Iran, Werner explained how victims and civil society were able to seek accountability through national courts and other legal jurisdictions. He emphasized that crimes under international law are not bound by statutes of limitations and encouraged Tamil victims to continue pushing for justice through various national and international channels.
Alternative Legal Approaches
Sun Kim, an international human rights lawyer and legal advisor at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, echoed the importance of exploring multiple legal strategies. She noted that, while Sri Lanka is not a state party to the ICC, other mechanisms, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), offer potential avenues for justice. Kim referenced the successful case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar for genocide, urging civil society to explore similar options.
Kim also highlighted the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing victims to pursue justice for international crimes in other states' courts. She advocated for a multifaceted approach, leveraging UN mechanisms like the Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP), which consolidates evidence of gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka to support future judicial proceedings. Kim concluded by stressing the importance of continued efforts by the Tamil community to pursue justice through creative, multi-pronged strategies.
The panel concluded with a renewed call for international solidarity in the pursuit of accountability for the Tamil people. The speakers underscored the need for sustained efforts by civil society, both within Sri Lanka and globally, to bring attention to the ongoing violations and seek justice for the Tamil genocide.
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