சிறிலங்காவினால் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் தமிழின அழிப்பு உலகறிந்தது. வருடத்தில் வைகாசி 18 (May 18) அன்று தமிழின அழிப்பு நினைவு நாள் நிகழ்வில் நீதிக்காக உறுதி கொள்வதும் தமிழின அழிப்பில் இழந்தோரை நினைவு கூறுவதும் வழக்கம். கனடாவில் கடந்த 2022 வருடம் தமிழின அழிப்பு நினைவு நாள் மற்றும் சிறிலங்காவில் தமிழருக்கு நடந்தது தமிழின அழிப்பு என பாராளுமன்றத்தில் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டது. மேலும் ஒன்டாரியோவில் தமிழின அழிப்பு கல்வி வாரம் 2021 முதல் சட்டமாகவும் உள்ளது. May 18, 2023 அன்று ஒட்டாவா தமிழ் ஒன்றியத்தினால் பாராளுமன்ற செய்தி அரங்கில் கனடா தமிழ் அமைப்புகள் சார்பாக அறிக்கை வழங்கப்பட்டது. அன்று இரவு பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் பங்கெடுத்த பல ஒட்டாவா தமிழ் அமைப்புகள் இணைந்த தமிழின அழிப்பு நினைவு நாள் நிகழ்வுகளும் நிகழ்ந்தது. இந்த வருடம் 2023 இல் கனடிய பிரதமர் கனடா அரசின் முதல் தமிழின அழிப்பு நினைவு நாள் அறிக்கையை வெளியிட்டார்.
On May 18, 2023, Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day was held at the Walter Baker Sports Center Hall A&B with around 200 people. Members of the Parliaments, the Tamil community, representatives from Tamil Canadian organizations and University student associations collectively paid tribute to the victims of the Tamil genocide by the Sri Lankan government, showing resilience and determination to get justice. The commemoration was organized jointly by the Ottawa Tamil Association (OTA), National Capital Region Tamil Association (NCRTA), Ottawa Tamil Seniors Association (OTSA), Canada Muththamizh Sangam (CTS), Ottawa Tamil Academy of Culture & Technology (OTACT), Carleton University Tamil Student Association (CUTSA), the University of Ottawa Tamil Student Union (TSU), and Tamil Genocide Memorial (TGM).
The event was held to commemorate the Tamil genocide that had taken place against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. This year, there were three main aspects of this event. The first was the recognition of the first Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day by the Prime Minister of Canada. The second is equal recognition from the opposing party leader of Canada, and overwhelming support from all parliamentarians since last year’s parliament unanimous motion, the Tamil people will constantly have the support of the Canadian government and parliament. The third is that the entire Ottawa Tamil community comes together from all ages and all organizations to persistently fight for justice.
The event began with the Indigenous Land acknowledgement, followed by the Canadian National Anthem and Thamizh Thai Valththu. A Multi-faith Prayer was held by the Canadian Muththamizh Sangam.
MP Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, begins his speech by mentioning that the Tamil diaspora is resilient and continues to voice for justice and Canadian parliamentarians regardless of their party affiliation stand in solidarity with the Tamil Canadians. He also mentioned the recent USA resolution Res.427 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/427) which is introduced on May 18, 2023, acknowledges Tamil homeland and calls on the Secretary of State to refer Sri Lanka perpetrators to ICC. MP Iqwinder Gaheer, a member of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, thanked the organizers for inviting him to the event and stand in solidarity. MP Gary presented Prime Minister Rgt. Hon. Justin Trudeau’s message on the first Canadian official Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. His message stated that “Canada will not stop advocating for the rights of the victims and survivors of this conflict, as well as for all in Sri Lanka who continue to face hardship.” Following such a speech, MP Iquinder Gaheer makes his own remarks. A message from MP Shaun Chen was also shared.
Soon after, MP Philip Lawrence, a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and MP Jasraj Singh presented a message from Opposition leader Hon. Pierre Polivier. It stated the following, “Today, Conservatives renew our call for accountability for those who perpetrated this genocide. Specifically, we join with Sri Lankan human rights advocates in their demands for the arrest of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, so that he answers for his crimes at an international court or tribunal.”
Following the MP speeches, The Ottawa Tamil Senior Association released the Tamil Genocide booklet. Then a soul-touching Kavithai (poem) was given by The National Capital Region Tamil Association (NCRTA).
The following two events are presented by the Ottawa Tamil Academy of Culture & Technology (OTACT). First is a Presentation – “Tamil Genocide at Peak May 18“. Then follows The Tamil Genocide Education Week (Bill-104) note.
Then came two student speeches. The first speech was by The Carleton University Tamil Student Association (CUTSA). The second speech was by the University of Ottawa Tamil Student Union (TSU). A standing banner with details of the digital archive and future interactive panels was placed by the Tamil Genocide Memorial (TGM). As the night approaches a finish, a presentation about the ongoing cultural genocide in Tamil Eelam was given by the Ottawa Tamil Association (OTA).
To end off the night, a short video describing the Tamil Eelam flag was played. Followed by the flower tribute and attendees were given Mullivaikkal Coungi, which kept strong enough to survive through the peak of genocide.
This event marks one step closer to gaining justice for the Eelam Tamil people for the crimes of genocide by the Sri Lankan governments. Tamil people are thankful for the constant support of the government, regardless of which party is in power. In addition, they are thankful for a community that can join together to fight for freedom. Although there is so much left to go, they can appreciate how close they are becoming to their goal.
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