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.
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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