Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a special statement for the 40th anniversary of Black July. Sri Lanka Latest News
Forty years ago today, in July 1983, a horrific anti-Tamil massacre was launched across Sri Lanka. They claimed thousands of lives, and left many others injured, displaced and sexually assaulted. The horrific atrocities of Black July led to an armed war that dragged on for decades, and the war claimed many more lives. Also, the popular communities that were victims of its oppression are still experiencing that oppression today.
On this day of reliving those bitter memories, we join the Canadian Tamil community and Dravidian communities around the world to remember the Tamils who died in Black July, honor those who survived, and reaffirm our stand against hate and violence.
Last year, the Canadian Parliament unanimously adopted May 18 as Tamil Genocide Day. The first celebration was held this year.
Today we, again, demand accountability in Sri Lanka for human rights violations and abuses. Canada will never stop standing up for human rights. And in the midst of the huge economic crisis that Sri Lanka is facing, let’s not lose sight of the commitment to help the popular communities who are more vulnerable to its oppression..!
Diversity has always been one of Canada’s greatest strengths.
When Black July 83 forced many people to leave Sri Lanka, Canada launched a special program in 1983. As a result, 1800 Dravidians chose Canada to restart their lives. Currently, Canada has one of the largest Dravidian diasporas in the world.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express my deepest condolences to all those who suffered and lost loved ones amid Black July and the violence that followed. We also express our commitment to build a future without discrimination for all of them.
