News
Enactment of Ontario’s Genocide Bill subject to Lt. Governor General’s approval
‘Actions of a few shouldn’t be allowed to jeopardize bilateral relations’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government has requested Canada not to enact Bill 104 recently adopted by the Ontario Provincial Parliament that resolved that Sri Lanka had committed genocide during the war.
Authoritative sources said that in terms of the Canadian Law in spite of the passage of the controversial Bill 104 moved by Member of Parliament Vijay Thanigasalam (Scarborough—Rouge Park) of Sri Lankan origin, it wouldn’t be enacted until Ontario Lieutenant Governor General Elizabeth Dowdeswell gave her consent on behalf of the Canadian Government. Thanigasalam represents the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. The Lt. Governor General is appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Sources said that Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena would meet Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon to discuss this matter. If Ontario Legislative Assembly succeeded in its high profile project, it would lead to similar propaganda operations in other parts of the world, sources said.
Sources said that Sri Lanka’s Counsel General in Toronto and the High Commission in Ottawa on numerous occasions raised the issue with relevant authorities as part of overall efforts to thwart Thanigasalam’s move. Sources said that contrary to reports, Bill 104 had been carried through without a vote in the Toronto Legislative Assembly on May 6 taking advantage of the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic that restricted the participation of the majority of members.
Responding to a query, sources said that Thanigasalam’s project had been facilitated by the Committee on Regulations and Private Bills coming under the purview of Logan Kanapathi also of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (Markham—Thornhill). Sources said that actions of a few Canadians of Sri Lankan origin shouldn’t be allowed to undermine relations between the two countries.
In the wake of the passage of Bill 104, the government roundly condemned the Ontario Provincial Parliament’s move, pointing out so called ‘Tamil Genocide Education Week’ is based on what the Foreign Ministry asserted ‘a flawed premise, unfounded assumptions and blatant lies.’
The government emphasized that the UN or other foreign governments never blamed Sri Lanka for genocide.
Meanwhile, informed sources said that Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner in Ottawa Asoka Girihagama yet to return in spite of being recalled after the change of government in Nov 2019 took over the mission in the year before soon after his retirement from Foreign Service. Sri Lanka is yet to name a High Commissioner in the wake of Canada’s refusal to accept retired Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias and outgoing Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, turning down the plum diplomatic post.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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