Sri Lanka opposes ‘Tamil Genocide Education Week’ bill of Ontario Legislative Assembly

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena conveyed the government’s deep concerns on the recent passing of Private Member Bill 104 on ‘Tamil Genocide Education Week’ by the Ontario Legislative Assembly during a meeting with the Canadian envoy in Colombo.

Minister Gunawardena met with the Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon at the Foreign Ministry today where he explained that the Ontario Legislative Assembly makes a finding that ‘genocide’ has taken place in Sri Lanka contradicting the official position of the Government of Canada which had confirmed that it has not made a finding that there was a genocide in Sri Lanka, according to the Foreign Ministry.  

He sought immediate intervention of the Canadian government to stop Royal Assent by Hon. Lt. Governor of Ontario to the said Bill.

Joining the meeting, Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage elaborated on the potential harm the Bill 104 could cause to the reconciliation process, peace building and the bilateral relations at large.