OTA AGM Q_A Annex July 16 2025
1. Regarding the request to meet with the Indian High Commissioner?
Given our current trajectory of initiatives, the OTA board has decided not to undertake any new challenges or dialogue with the Indian High Commission.
2. Why didn’t OTA respond to TGTE’s Request to Collaborate on the ICJ Project?
OTA is committed to strengthening and defending the recognition of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act. As the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) has not officially recognized May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, this creates a trust barrier for collaboration on genocide-related projects. OTA’s legal research on pursuing justice at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for crimes of genocide (available at https://ottawatamilassociation.ca/tamil-genocide/publications/) is primarily conducted in partnership with FGTO/FeTNA and driven by TGM.
3. Why didn’t OTA respond to event Invitations and Protests?
The Ottawa Tamil Association (OTA) prioritizes collaborations with credible and established partner organizations to ensure effective and responsible engagement. Given the critical nature of our current projects and the need to minimize future risks, OTA is unable to participate in all event invitations or protests. OTA BoD maintains a neutral stance, neither endorsing nor opposing such activities. OTA BoD will not take the position of sharing information with OTA members. Please feel free to promote any events to the community at your prompt using public channels and not requesting the OTA BoD to promote such events or articles.
4. Is the OTA presidency limited to one year?
Unlike any other hierarchical organization, OTA’s board structure and delegates are team and task-oriented from the start. The president and other responsibilities are traditionally unanimously agreed upon among the board of directors, and AGM gives the board to shuffle as needed. Except few years, most of the presidents in the past served one year.
5. Besides the Gala event, why does OTA not show interest in our homeland issues, such as raising awareness about the Semani incident and other human rights-related matters to the Canadian public?
OTA’s constant request to the Canadian government is to help bring Sri Lanka to the ICJ for the crimes of genocide and apply sanctions on Sri Lankan government officials responsible. https://ottawatamilassociation.ca/news/
6. Since OTA is located in the capital of Canada, lobbying with MPs is of utmost importance for issues concerning our homeland. What activities is OTA currently undertaking in this regard?
As mentioned, OTA constantly request parliamentarians to bring SL to the ICJ, and the recent booklet handed over to them can be found here. https://tamilconferences.org/consensus/justice-for-sri-lankas-genocide-against-tamils/
7. Why did OTA join FETNA?
The OTA’s 2025th activity presentation (4th slide) clearly explains what OTA’s activities are at FeTNA. Primary focus is on Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, Tamil Genocide Monument(s) and Tamil Heritage Month initiatives. https://ottawatamilassociation.ca/ottawa-tamil-association/annual-public-townhall-presentations/
8. Was OTA established to educate Tamils about the Tamil Eelam struggle?
No. OTA’s focus is to educate Canadians in general on Tamil issues, and this is why OTA primarily have a keynote at each Tamil Heritage Month Gala in English.
(https://ottawatamilassociation.ca/tamil-heritage-month-thm-gala/)
9. Does OTA support hoisting the Tamil Eelam flag at events?
On certain occasions, such as Tamil Excellent Night, etc, OTA is part of Tamil Eelam flag honouring. OTA also supported the research on delisting Tamil Eelam forces from Canada’s banned list and the research legal summary was handed over to many parliamentarians (https://tamilconferences.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Executive_summary_delist_public_mar15_2024.pdf). OTA’s priority until 2030 is defending Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day Education Week Act), research on Tamil genocide legal recognition/narrative and efforts for justice. Via FGTO, OTA supports the introduction of H.Res1230 in the USA that recognizes both the Tamil Genocide and the independence referendum. OTA is also part of legal research on delisting (https://tamilconferences.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Executive_summary_delist_public_mar15_2024.pdf)
###