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Canada’s leader of the opposition Hon. Michael Ignatieff MP has reiterated Liberal Party of Canada’s call for strict conditions on any loans from the IMF to Sri Lanka, in a message marking the 26th anniversary of the 1983 ethnic pogrom, in which over 3,000 Tamil civilians were massacred.

more info: Black July 83

Full text of statement by Hon. Michael Ignatieff MP:

Today I join Tamils around the world in marking Black July, the annual day of remembrance of the start of the full-scale armed conflict in Sri Lanka. We remember the day 26 years ago – on July 23, 1983 – when anti-Tamil attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 innocent civilians, the destruction of tens of thousands of homes and the displacement around the world of Tamils who fled the violence.

We continue to be concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka, and this occasion affords us all the opportunity to once again draw the world’s attention to the humanitarian crisis in that country.

The Liberal Party has called for strict conditions on any loans to Sri Lanka from the International Monetary Fund based on humanitarian concerns, the proper treatment of internally displaced persons and a restoration of peace and security to the country. The government of Sri Lanka cannot expect substantial economic assistance without paying full attention to their humanitarian obligations.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I offer my condolences to the Tamil community for the suffering they and their loves ones have endured for more than a quarter of a century. We will continue our efforts – both within and outside the House of Commons – to push for peace and stability in the region.

Statement by New Democrat Leader Jack Layton on Black July

Thu 23 Jul 2009

It is with great sadness that Canadians will mark the 26th anniversary of Black July. A government launching a massive, orchestrated pogrom against its own people is a shame. Black July is a true stain on Sri Lanka’s reputation as a democracy.

New Democrats are concerned about the ongoing human rights violations, the lack of access to clean water, medical assistance and the government’s inability to care for the civilians still living in the concentration camps.

We will continue to be the voice of Tamil Canadians in the House of Commons. We will continue to demand the federal government work with the United Nations to assert its authority and help the tens of thousands of civilians who are still at risk. Canada can help make that happen – that’s why we called for two emergency debates in Parliament this year, to discuss solutions, options for peace, and Canada’s role.

After the events of 1983, Canada welcomed those Tamils seeking asylum, and we continue to accept refugees and immigrants from Sri Lanka. But the Prime Minister must expedite the process for bringing family members to Canada, especially reuniting orphans with extended family here.

Today, New Democrats join the call for the Government of Sri Lanka to allow international observers into the country because we fear that killings could be taking place on a larger scale than reported – it is vital for international monitors and media to report on the reality of the situation.

Canada can and must do more. We can be a strong voice for peace on the global stage. Children in Sri Lanka need us to take up that responsibility today. We must prevent another Black July from ever happening again.

Lest we forget.

Text and video by British Tamils Forum:

Over 100,000 people converged on the streets of London on Saturday 20 June 2009 to remember the tens of thousands that perished in the Sri Lankan states final onslaught against the Tamil civilians and to call for the release of 300,000 that remain under threat of death, disappearance, rape and torture in government-run internment camps.

Protesters, carrying black flags and adorned in dark attire, marched to rouse the UK and international community into action over the following three demands:

• Stop the disappearances, rapes and torture occurring daily in the internment camps and find all those who were unaccounted for.

• Free people from the camps immediately so that they can return to their normal lives.

• Bring the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tamils to justice.

Busy for six months

‘Other commitments’ more important than court for police

Six months after the murder of The Sunday Leader’s Founder Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge police investigations into the killing are reported to have made no progress whatsoever.

Further, on consecutive occasions when the Wickrematunge murder case was being heard at the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court police representatives failed to make an appearance forcing the postponement of the hearings.

When questioned by The Sunday Leader as to why the Mirihana Police had failed to appear before the court, Police Spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera claimed that ‘other commitments’ did not allow them to attend the sessions.

Where are his killers? over to you Mr. President

Exactly six months have passed since the day when the collective lives of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s three children were shattered. Ahimsa his daughter, still cries from time to time, as if her heart would break, for the father she loved so much. Lasantha’s 10 year old son Aadesh says that he misses the daily phone call from his dad, so very, very much. Even now, six months later, when the phone rings, for a brief, incredulous moment, his eyes light up in a flash of hope. Avinash his eldest son – to date cannot find words to express his deep sorrow. A pain, that has not, yet dimmed.

“It’s not that the Mirihana Police wanted to stay away from court but they have other pressing obligations that need be carried out,” he said.

Wickrematunge was brutally assassinated on January 8 at the Attidiya Junction in broad day light in a high security zone in close proximity to the Ratmalana Airport and Air Force Base.

While several witnesses were reported to have been present at the murder scene the combined efforts of the Mirihana and Mt. Lavinia Police have failed, as yet, to make a credible breakthrough in the case.

On April 2 the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate directed the police to submit a full investigation report into the case by April 16 but for the past three months the police have failed to submit either the investigation report or the Government Analyst’s (GA’s) report on the crime.

According to Athula S. Ranagala, the attorney appearing on behalf of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s wife, Sonali Samarasinghe Wickrematunge, the police have also not submitted a Moratuwa University report on the telephone data related to the crime, which is known to be in their possession.

“If the police genuinely want to take the investigation forward they would have made a sincere effort. Now it’s more than three months since they received the GA’s report and the Moratuwa University report on telephone data but so far none of this has been submitted to court,” Ranagala told The Sunday Leader.

The lawyer also stated that he would submit a formal request to the Attorney General to have the investigation transferred to the CID as police investigations have not made any progress over the past six months. [thesundayleader.lk]

Related: Sri Lanka President condemns the killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga [lankamission.org]