Canadian Tamil Collective denounces Sri Lanka’s attempts to block genocide memorial

^{The final design of the Tamil Genocide Monument that Brampton City Council approved earlier this year.}

A group of Tamil Canadian civil society activists, representatives and organisers have denounced Sri Lanka’s attempts to halt the construction of a memorial dedicated to victims of the Tamil genocide this week.

The Canadian Tamil Collective also called on the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) to “unconditionally apologize,” after it emerged that the Sri Lankan Consul General in Toronto was highlighting the organisation’s work with the government to further a false narrative of reconciliation on the island.

In a letter exclusively released by the Tamil Guardian this week, Sri Lanka’s Consul General Thushara Rodrigo wrote to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown in May 2024,  in a bid to try and halt the construction of the monument.

Rodrigo also claims that the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), which it calls “one of the leading Tamil Organization in Canada (sic), commenced their humanitarian activities in Sri Lanka with the participation of the Canadian High Commission in Colombo”.

“Also, the CTC has made important engagements with Buddhist monks under the framework of Himalaya Declaration to support the reconciliation efforts (sic),” the letter continues, in a bid to try showcase “constructive engagements with the Tamil community”.

^{CTC meets with Mahinda Rajapaksa in December 2023.}

CTC’s involvement with the Sri Lankan government-approved ‘Himalaya Declaration’ initiative, triggered outrage last year, with widespread condemnation from the Tamil diaspora who called it a ‘betrayal beyond belief’.

Read more: ‘A betrayal beyond belief’ - Tamil Canadians vent their fury at CTC after meeting with Rajapaksa

“The letter makes clear that the CTC has misrepresented to the Tamil people and has actively covered up their role in the Sri Lankan government’s strategies to undermine the Tamil people’s fight for justice and freedom,” said the Canadian Tamil Collective.

“The CTC has denied involvement in the Himalayan Declaration, but the letter exposes the truth. There is no mention of any other organization undertaking this work, only the CTC.”

“Most importantly, the letter shows that the CTC is being used to oppose the construction of the Genocide Monument in Brampton,” the collective continued.

In a message posted on their Facebook page, however, CTC responded by stating that it “unequivocally rejects and condemns the baseless allegations suggesting any collaboration with the Sri Lankan government on a peace process”.

“These accusations are completely unfounded and appear to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the CTC,” it continued thought it did not mention the widely criticised Himalaya Declaration.

Earlier this year, CTC defended its work with the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and claimed that there had bene “misinterpretation of the intent behind the Himalaya Declaration”.

The organisation did however state that it “has consistently supported the establishment of a Tamil Genocide memorial in Brampton and reaffirms its dedication to this cause”.

It posted a copy of a press release from 2022, which “encourages Tamil Canadians to support” the construction of the monument. The press release does not appear on the CTC website.

“Moving forward requires acknowledging the past as genocide,” said CTC.

^{The original memorial at the University of Jaffna, which was bulldozed in 2021.}

The construction of a memorial Brampton was first proposed in 2021, in response to the destruction of a memorial dedicated to Tamil genocide victims in Jaffna. At the time, Canada's Minister for Foreign Affairs and several MPs condemned the destruction, which sparked widespread protests on the island and in Canada.

Sri Lanka continues to crack down on remembrance event held by Tamils, who have faced arrest under terrorism charges for attempting to commemorate the genocide, even when lighting lamps or raising red and yellow flags.

“The CTC's work with Sri Lanka is being weaponized to erase Tamil history and prevent the memorialization of those lost in the war,” said the collective. “The CTC’s actions facilitate Sri Lanka's foreign interference in Canada and undermine the rights and interests of Tamils in Canada. “

Whilst the construction of a monument was approved unanimously by Brampton City Council, it has faced outrage from the Sri Lankan government, even reportedly summoned the Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo over the plans.

“It has become apparent that the Sri Lankan government has used CTC's initiatives as a facade to conduct a public relations campaign in Canada, aimed at undermining the construction of the Tamil Genocide Memorial,” the Canadian Tamil Collective statement continued. “This insidious strategy not only diminishes the legitimate grievances of the Tamil community but also seeks to erase the historical injustices faced by Tamils.”

“Such actions betray the trust of Tamil Canadians who look to the CTC for leadership and advocacy in the pursuit of justice and recognition. The Tamil community needs to ensure that the CTC’s work cannot be co-opted by external forces that seek to silence the voices of the Tamil diaspora and impede their efforts to honor and memorialize the victims of genocide.”

“The CTC must cease enabling Sri Lanka's foreign interference in Canada and stop engaging in activities leveraged against Tamils. It must immediately condemn the Government of Sri Lanka’s interference in Canada and clarify its position regarding the Genocide memorial. Unfortunately, the CTC’s silence on this matter can be interpreted as collusion with the Government of Sri Lanka.”

“Our community will not stand silently and watch such betrayals. It is imperative that the CTC recognizes the harm they have caused to this community. CTC must unconditionally apologize for the trauma caused and rededicate itself to being a voice of Canadian Tamils.”

Read the full text of the Canadian Tamil Collective statement here.