The Sri Lankan government has firmly rejected what it describes as baseless allegations of genocide and expressed strong opposition to the construction of a Tamil Genocide Memorial in Canada. This was stated in an official release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.
The government clarified that claims of genocide allegedly committed during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka have not been substantiated by any credible authority, either nationally or internationally. It further stated that these accusations are based on misleading information.
The statement emphasized that Sri Lanka vehemently rejects this false narrative, which it believes has been promoted largely for electoral gain in Canada.
Notably, in April 2021, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development officially confirmed that the Canadian government had not made any determination that a genocide had taken place in Sri Lanka.
Additionally, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were designated as a terrorist organization by Canada in 2006—a designation that was reaffirmed as recently as June 2024.
The Sri Lankan government has consistently and strongly objected to the construction of the so-called Tamil Genocide Memorial at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada. It has raised concerns that this initiative could negatively impact both Sri Lankan and Canadian communities.
The statement noted that the Canadian federal government has repeatedly urged the Brampton City Council to intervene and prevent the progression of this controversial project.
Sri Lanka maintains that the promotion of unfounded allegations and the erection of monuments based on misinformation mislead the public and obstruct the country’s genuine efforts towards reconciliation, national unity, and lasting peace among all communities.
In this context, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, met with the Canadian High Commissioner today (14) to reiterate the government’s strong objection to both the unfounded genocide allegations and the approval of the monument’s construction.
The government concluded that such actions only serve to complicate and undermine its ongoing efforts to foster reconciliation and strengthen national unity.
