After three years of anticipation, the final design for the Tamil Genocide Memorial in Chinguacousy Park has been approved by the Brampton City Council. The monument, standing at 4.8 metres tall and made of stainless steel, will serve as a permanent reminder of the genocide faced by the Eelam Tamils at the hands of the Sri Lankan state during the armed conflict, particularly in its final stages in 2009.
The inspiration for the memorial came after the Mullivaikkal memorial at Jaffna University, which was erected in 2019 to honour the Tamil lives lost in the genocide, was destroyed. This act of destruction led to outrage within the Tamil homeland and globally. Backed by city leaders, two local organisations, the Brampton Tamil Association and Brampton Tamil Seniors Association, joined hands to spearhead the project.
Initially, the motion passed by the city council tasked these organisations with the responsibility of building and maintaining the monument. The Tamil Genocide Memorial organisation was created to oversee the fundraising efforts, with a goal of raising approximately $150,000 for the project. However, the project faced significant delays due to leadership changes, funding shortages, and the need for design alterations.
The revised design of the monument aims to symbolise the traditional Tamil homeland of Tamil Eelam. It represents a significant step in acknowledging the atrocities faced by the Tamil community and the need for recognition, accountability, and justice.
The installation of the monument will take place in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by May 18, Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, and the second phase by May 2025. Brampton City Council passed a motion on November 1st 2023 requesting the National Council of Canadian Tamils to lead the project with the help of Brampton Tamil Association, Brampton Tamil Seniors Association and other relevant stakeholders. The National Council of Canadian Tamils will oversee the ownership and maintenance of the monument once it is completed.
The Tamil Genocide Memorial is not only a tribute to those who lost their lives during the independence struggle, but also serves as a reminder of the importance of Eelam Tamils’ ongoing struggle for justice.
