By: Isuru Parakrama
November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) has issued a letter to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging him to prioritise long-overdue measures critical for reconciliation, justice, and equitable development in Sri Lanka.
The letter expressed concern over the government’s opposition to UNHRC Resolution 51/1, which is deemed a pivotal mechanism for accountability and justice.
In its message, the CTC criticised the rejection of international oversight, cautioning that such a stance risks deepening mistrust amongst communities that have endured historical injustices.
The organisation highlighted that supporting the resolution could serve as a critical step in restoring confidence both locally and globally.
The letter also presented six actionable recommendations to promote reconciliation and trust amongst Sri Lanka’s diverse communities:
- Release Political Prisoners: Free all remaining political detainees to address longstanding grievances.
- Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA): Fulfil the campaign promise to eliminate this controversial law.
- Return Occupied Lands: Restore privately-owned lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces currently held by the military.
- Protect Tamil Religious and Cultural Rights: Ensure Tamil worship sites remain safeguarded from encroachment and halt the construction of new Buddhist temples in these regions.
- Implement the 13th Amendment: Expedite provincial council elections and ensure meaningful power devolution until a new constitution is agreed upon.
- Reform Security in the North and East: Scale down military presence and disengage the armed forces from commercial enterprises to stimulate local economic growth.
The CTC underscored that addressing these issues is vital to fostering trust, delivering justice, and achieving lasting peace.
The organisation reiterated its readiness to support Sri Lanka in its efforts towards reconciliation, whilst warning that continued inaction could undermine the credibility of the government’s commitments both domestically and internationally.
The letter concludes with a call for President Dissanayake to prioritise these measures to ensure a fair and inclusive future for all Sri Lankans. The CTC, along with international stakeholders, pledged to closely monitor progress on these critical issues.
Full Statement:
Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dear President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,
We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations once again on your recent electoral victory. Your leadership represents an important milestone, and we believe it offers a crucial opportunity for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. As an organization that has long been committed to the betterment of the people in Sri Lanka through various initiatives, the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) stands ready to contribute to this important work. However, we are concerned that certain long-overdue actions, which are critical for reconciliation and justice, have not yet been taken.
In this regard, the decision to oppose UNHRC Resolution 51/1 is particularly troubling. This resolution, supported by the international community, is a crucial mechanism for accountability and justice in Sri Lanka. By opposing it, your government signals a disregard for long-standing grievances and for the principles of justice and human rights. Rejecting international oversight will not provide a sustainable solution but will instead deepen mistrust among those who have suffered from the past. If your administration is committed to genuine justice, supporting the resolution should be seen as a pathway to restore confidence both locally and globally. We respectfully urge your government to reconsider your stance on this matter.
We also propose the following immediate steps to build trust, promote reconciliation, and ensure equitable development across the country:
1. Release all remaining political prisoners.
2. Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as outlined in your campaign manifesto.
3. Return all privately-owned lands currently occupied by the Sri Lankan military in the Northern and Eastern provinces, and cease any further illegal land acquisitions.
4. Uphold the religious rights of Tamils by safeguarding their worship sites from encroachments and preventing the construction of new Buddhist temples to ensure the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage of Tamils.
5. Fully implement the 13th Amendment and hold provincial council elections without delay until a new constitution, accepted by all communities, is enacted. Devolution of power is essential to ensuring local governance and empowering the regions.
6. Reform the security sector in the Northern and Eastern provinces, bringing it to levels consistent with the rest of the country. The military’s involvement in commercial activities, such as farms, hotels, and bakeries, is stifling local enterprise. We urge your government to discontinue these ventures to allow local businesses and farmers to compete fairly.
We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take immediate and concrete action on these pressing matters. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring justice, strengthening trust among all communities, and fostering long-term stability. Continued inaction will only undermine confidence in the government’s commitment to equality and fairness, both within the country and internationally.
The Canadian Tamil Congress, alongside global stakeholders, remains dedicated to supporting the rights and well-being of all citizens in Sri Lanka. We are closely monitoring developments and expect to see meaningful progress. We trust that your government will prioritize these actions to ensure a more just and equitable future for all Sri Lankans.
Thank You.
Yours Sincerely,
Kumar Ratnam
President,
Canadian Tamil Congress.
