News
Support for Israeli attack on Gaza and ‘Himalayan Declaration’ cause turmoil among Tamils in Canada
Over 300 constituents flay Anandasangaree for supporting genocide
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A group of Canadians of Sri Lankan origin has recently questioned Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal Party) over his continuing silence regarding Canadian support for indiscriminate Israeli offensive against Palestinians.
Anandasangaree represents Scarborough—Rouge Park, Ontario and is the second Canadian Minister of Tamil origin, along with Anita Anand (Liberal Party).
On behalf of 300 constituents, a Canadian of Sri Lankan Tamil origin confronted Anandasangaree when he was about to deliver a talk to celebrate Tamil Heritage month.
Alleging that MP Anandasangaree hadn’t even responded to a letter delivered by them, in last year, requesting him to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Canadian Tamil pointed out the Canadian culpability in the genocide perpetrated by the Jewish state. She urged Minister Anandasangaree to follow fellow Liberal Party lawmaker Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre) in that regard.
The Tamil community having suffered untold hardships, during the Sri Lanka
conflict, couldn’t, under any circumstances, remain silent over what was going on in Gaza, the woman declared. She pointed out the duplicity in the Canadian stand vis-a-vis Gaza, having declared May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.
Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau’s Office on May 18, 2023 quoted the Canadian leader as having said: “In October 2022, we joined our international partners in adopting a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution that calls on the Sri Lankan government to address the human rights, economic, and political crises in the country. Canada has been a global leader in the adoption of other UNHRC resolutions calling for freedom of religion, belief, and pluralism in Sri Lanka – essential elements to secure peace and reconciliation in the years to come – and we will continue our work to safeguard human rights across the world. And in January 2023, our government imposed sanctions against four Sri Lankan government officials in response to human rights violations on the island.”
Declaring that there should be an immediate arms embargo, the voter emphasized the responsibility on Anandasangaree’s part to pressure Canada to end her complicity in Israeli occupation and genocide during the past two months. She reminded the lawmaker over 20,000 Palestinians, including over 10,000 children, had been killed while pointing out Ottawa sent over 21 mn dollars’ worth military exports to Israel in 2022 alone Accusing Canada of providing Israel with diplomatic cover as well as material support, the Canadian, of Sri Lankan origin, said that their action caused genocide and, therefore, tangible measures should be taken to stop this.
When Minister Anandasangaree tried to side-step the questions, the woman demanded a proper explanation. She insisted that the Minister couldn’t turn a blind eye to genocide taking place in Gaza.
Meanwhile, another controversy has erupted within the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Canada over former President of the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) Raj Thavaratnasingham joining a delegation that recently met former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo.
Tamil sources told The Island that some found fault with Thavaratnasingham for meeting SLPP leader Rajapaksa in spite of Canadian sanctions on him and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, along with two others, over alleged war crimes.
Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry sources pointed out that the CTC recently declared its intention to move court against the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) and its spokesperson over what it called false statements meant to cause harm to CTC’s reputation.
Canada-based sources said that there hadn’t been a previous instance of influential and wealthy Canadian Diaspora groups clashing over their policy towards Sri Lanka.
Sources said that the NCCT had been troubled by the CTC’s backing for Global Tamil Forum (GTF) effort to engage in a fresh reconciliation process with Sri Lanka as it could undermine its high profile bid to haul Sri Lanka up before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Responding to The Island query, an authoritative government official said that the continuing clash between the CTC and NCCT was due to the difference of opinion over post-war reconciliation process. The CTC, along with the GTF, declared their readiness for a meaningful political dialogue with Sri Lanka and the Himalayan Declaration was a result of that, whereas the NCCT still believed in an international intervention here.
Sources explained that the NCCT had been distraught by the US and others throwing their weight behind the GTF spearheaded initiative and the Sri Lankan government moving fast on the reconciliation process. Having enacted several laws since the 2015 co-sponsorship of the Geneva Resolution, the government was now on the verge of establishing an independent commission for truth, unity and reconciliation by way of an Act in Parliament, sources said, adding that that development could facilitate the reconciliation process.
“We should wait for the TNA’s reaction to the developments taking place,” another official said, adding that though many considered newly elected TNA leader Sritharan Sivagnanam (Jaffna District MP) a hardliner he could review his position. Sritharan succeeded veteran politician R. Sampanthan who led the party during a turbulent period during which he was forced to recognize the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people, the official said.
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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.
Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.
Accordingly:
1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).
6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.
7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.
The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.
Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.
[President’s Media Division]
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
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Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs
Warm Welcome Accorded to the President of the Maldives at the Presidential Secretariat
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