[ Vavuniya News Media, 05/30/06 10:53:20 GMT by admin | Category: World News ]

On the Tamil Diaspora's day of solidarity around the world, more than 25,000 Canadian Tamils in Mel Lastman Square in Toronto Monday inspite of a transit strike in the city to protest against the human rights abuses committed by the Government of Sri Lanka against their relatives in the North and East. The rally in Toronto was the largest of in worldwide demonstrations that were held simultaneously from New Zealand to Canada. The larger venue overflowed and the people stayed on adjoining streets.

and more than 5,000 Canadian Tamils stood in front of the federal parliament in Ottawa Monday to protest against the European Union ban of Liberation Tigers, and to condemn the killing of Tamil civilians by the Sri Lanka security forces. Four parliamentarians addressed the crowd, including a member of the governing party. All parliamentarians expressed their solidarity with the Tamil cause, and one of them promised to raise the Tamil issue in the House.

A sudden transit strike had crippled movement in the city of Toronto but the Tamil traders closed their stores and laboured throughout the day arranging private bus trips for the attendees. Local Tamil media played a significant role in setting up carpools so that people could attend the event, sources further said.

Canadian politicians and peace activists were on hand to show their solidarity with the Tamil community, sources added.

A petition was handed to the Canada’s federal political parties asking for Canada to play an active and impartial role in the Sri Lanka peace process and deproscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.



The Petition further asked the Government of Canada to prevail on Sri Lankan government to cease the killing of Tamil civilians and to immediately disarm, dismantle and remove all paramilitary groups in the North and East.

The petition also asked on the Government of Canada to urge the Sri Lankan government to comply with ceasefire agreement by vacating high security zones, lifting the ban on fishing activities and the undeclared economic embargo on the North and East. If the Government of Sri Lanka failed to comply, the petition urged the government of Canada to impose diplomatic and economic sanctions on the Government of Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the day, thousands attended a demonstration in front of the parliament in Canada’s capital, Ottawa.



The protesters, among whom were many youths and students, called on the Sri Lankan military to stop the recent surge of civilian killings, allegedly by the Sri Lankan armed forces, and the attacks on students. Canada can no longer be silent while many Canadian families fear for their loved ones in Sri Lanka, protesters said. Others asked that the Canadian government recognize Tamils' right to self-determination in Sri Lanka and that the Sri Lankan armed forces should vacate the "traditional Tamil homeland."

Bryon Wilfert, a member of the Liberal Party, accepted the organizers' letter of protest. The recent actions by the current Canadian government have done little to advance the peace process in Sri Lanka, but the Liberal Party will continue to work to find a just solution for the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

A Liberal member of Parliament, Jim Karygianni, asserted that had his party now been governing Canada, there would have been a better response than that of the present ruling government. He said further that the genocide policy by the government of Sri Lanka should be stopped, citing Armenian and Jewish genocides.

A member of the ruling party, Maurice Vellacott, acknowledged the concerns of his fellow Canadians and made a promise to take issue with the government of Sri Lanka. He was also handed a letter of protest.

Vivian Barbot, member of Bloq Quebecois, also recognised the concerns of Canadian Tamils and shared his point of view. A letter was handed over to him as well.

Many Canadian journalists covered the event.