It was in this context that independent journalism and grassroots efforts began to challenge the dominant narrative set by institutions. Channel 4’s groundbreaking documentary “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields,“ first broadcast in June 2011, presented devastating video evidence of alleged war crimes, extrajudicial killings, and abuses during the final phases of the conflict. This was followed by sequels, such as “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished” in 2012, which further exposed accountability gaps. Concurrently, the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) held sessions on Sri Lanka and the Tamil people: the first in Dublin (January 2010), which documented war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the second in Bremen (December 2013), which concluded that Sri Lanka was guilty of genocide against the Eelam Tamils.
Amid this backdrop, the Ottawa Tamil Association (OTA) emerged from a small advocacy community group focused on Tamil Heritage Month recognition and Tamil Genocide recognition in Ottawa to a pivotal organization within the Canadian Tamil diaspora. Founded in 2014 (with incorporation in July 2015), OTA was established to promote Tamil heritage, advocate for human rights, seek justice for Sri Lanka’s genocide against Tamils, and foster community resilience and Canadian values. Over the past decade (2014–2025), OTA has played a significant role in supporting Canadian Tamils in Ottawa and beyond, filling a critical void by amplifying calls for truth, accountability, and recognition.
Through consistent advocacy—including co-organizing international conferences (such as the 2018 conference on Tamil Nationhood and Genocide), forming coalitions, supporting campaigns, hosting annual Tamil Heritage Month galas, and collaborating with global Tamil networks—OTA has contributed to shifting perceptions, educating communities, and pushing for symbolic and policy wins in Canada, such as the recognition of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Ottawa Tamils commemorated Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2010, and once OTA was formed, the commemorations took place annually at the Parliament lawn until it was formally recognized by Parliament in 2022. Later, since 2023, May 18 has continued to be commemorated by a joint community event in Ottawa. In doing so, OTA has helped transform diaspora depression into organized action, ensuring the Tamil voice remains resilient in the pursuit of justice in the future.
The Ottawa Tamil Association was also part of the formation of the Federation of Global Tamil Organizations (FGTO) in 2022, and became a member of the Federation of North American Tamil Sangams (FeTNA), which is a coalition of over 70 Tamil organizations. With OTA’s and others’ requests, two committees related to Eelam Tamils were formed within FeTNA, and the Maaveerar Naal (Tamil Heroes Day – Nov 27) and Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day (May 18) events were held virtually. On May 16, 2024, the US Congress also introduced a House resolution, H.Res 1230, to recognize the Tamil Genocide and the Independence Referendum as a permanent solution for Eelam Tamils.
OTA published its first booklet in 2016 titled Sri Lanka’s Genocide Against Tamils, which highlighted the Northern Provincial Council resolution on Tamil Genocide and provided a brief on Tamil Eelam history that decision makers could easily understand. The 2018 academic conference reinforced and helped to spread the need for justice and truth-seeking. Since 2021, OTA has engaged in legal research with a coalition on the topic of the Tamil Genocide and published the second booklet in 2024 titled Justice for Sri Lanka’s Genocide Against Tamils. Rather than relying on the UNHRC or other international human rights reports, a preliminary fact-finding mission was conducted by a lawyer, who spoke directly to witnesses, and a legal strategy was put in place in public for the community to evaluate and for decision makers to question the institutions on missing facts in their reporting.
While focusing on resolving the major obstacles the Tamil diaspora faces, OTA also encouraged volunteerism, entrepreneurship, charity, and healthy living on a yearly basis. OTA held a Big Bike event with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and raised funds for heart research. OTA also started a running club in 2025 and participated in the 5K Army Run in Ottawa as part of its healthy living efforts. Several entrepreneurship workshops were held. The annual Thiyagi Thileepan Memorial Food Drive for the Ottawa Food Bank, fall fundraising for humanitarian efforts, and holding water stations during annual festivals were part of the humanitarian support efforts held by OTA.
While OTA has switched its focus to Tamil Genocide legal research and documentation, as it looks toward 2030 for the 3rd conference, its work continues to maintain transparency and quality to enrich Canadian multiculturalism, ensuring Tamil voices are heard and their heritage thrives.
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