News
Dr. Hewage’s claims regarding Canadian court ruling on ‘Tamil genocide’ denied
Appropos front-page news item ‘Bid to include genocide allegation against Sri Lanka in Canada’s school curriculum thwarted’ in the March 31, 2025, edition of The Island, Viresh Fernando, CA, CPA, Barrister and Solicitor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has sent us the following statement:
In 2021, the Provincial Legislature of Ontario passed a Bill, titled Tamil Genocide Education Week Act. The legislation, popularly known as “Bill 104,” simply assumes that the Tamil people of Sri Lanka were subject to genocide. No evidence was provided or discussed during legislative debate.
The Government of Canada has repeatedly stated that it has no evidence of alleged “Tamil Genocide”
A very small group of relatively uneducated Sinhala Canadians reportedly paid as much as $350,000 (dollars three lakhs fifty thousand) to two white, Canadian, incompetent, and ignorant lawyers to challenge the validity of the legislation. These two incompetent and ignorant lawyers used both the wrong method of legislation nullification and the wrong legal premise.
After a two-day hearing, as most Canadian legal experts expected, a judge of the Superior Court of Justice rejected the challenge of the Sinhala Canadians on constitutional grounds. The substantive evidentiary issue was never dealt with. I personally agree with the judge’s constitutional and legal basis for rejecting the Sinhala Canadian challenge, though I vehemently disagree with the false premise of Bill 104. This is a stark example that bad cases lead to bad law.
The small group of Sinhala Canadians Applicants who did not know any better, asked their two incompetent and ignorant lawyers to launch an appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. After an approximately five-hour hearing, the Court of Appeal clearly open to overturning the legislation, posed a final question. The two incompetent lawyers, who represented the Sinhala Canadians, did not understand the critical meaning of the Court of Appeal justice’s question and therefore did not respond. That was a monumental legal error.
The three-member panel of very senior justices were clearly puzzled by the lack of response from the lawyers for the Sinhala Canadians. The Court of Appeal was not given the legal grounds or the factual basis to overturn the lower court verdict. Therefore, the Court of Appeal for Ontario did the only thing they could do which was to dismiss the appeal. A lone Sinhala Canadian sought leave (permission) from the Supreme Court of Canada to appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada declined to grant leave.
Contrary to the news article in The Island newspaper, the Supreme Court of Canada did not make a finding that there was no “Tamil genocide”. This is an absolutely wrong assertion by this particular newspaper.”
The Island: The story was entirely based on Dr. Neville Hewage’s response to the queries posed to him. We sought Dr. Hewage’s response as he moved the Canadian court in this regard.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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