To prevent enactment of “Tamil Genocide Education Week Act”

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera 

Sri Lankan government has made extensive effort to prevent the enactment of the “Tamil Genocide Education Week Act” presented in the Ontario State Parliament in Canada, State Minister Tharaka Balasooriya said yesterday. 

Responding to a question raised by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera on a previous day as to what action has the Sri Lankan government taken on the said Act, the Minister said the Foreign Minister has written to the Canadian Foreign Minister and met Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka regarding the matter. 

He said the Canadian Foreign Minister has informed that the Canadian government has not made a finding that there was Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka. 

The Minister said Sri Lanka expatriates living in Canada have also made several submissions in various fronts and levels against the Bill. 

The Minister said concerted efforts of the Foreign Minister, Sri Lankan High Commission and Consular General in Canada have delayed the said Bill for nearly two years and that it was abruptly taken up after Logan Kanapathi of Sri Lankan origin took office as the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.