Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Government of Sri Lanka notes with regret the adoption of a motion in the Canadian Parliament on the alleged genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka and recognizing May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.  The Government categorically rejects the blatantly false allegation of genocide contained in the parliamentary motion with reference to Sri Lanka, which contradicts the official position of the Canadian Government, i.e., that "it has not made a finding that there was genocide in Sri Lanka."

It is recalled that the Canadian Government has been briefed at the highest level of the actual situation in Sri Lanka during the end stage of the conflict, which entailed the conduct of a humanitarian operation by the Sri Lankan Government to save its population in the former conflict zones, while taking appropriate action to defeat LTTE terrorism. Today, 13 years since the end of the conflict, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in its process of reconciliation which is ongoing, and on which the Canadian Government has been regularly apprised.

The Government reiterates that the term genocide has specific legal connotations and has never been used in relation to the Sri Lankan conflict by the United Nations, nor by any of its inter-governmental bodies including the UN Human Rights Council.  It is observed that the term is arbitrarily and erroneously applied to the Sri Lankan situation only by a minority of politically motivated anti-Sri Lanka elements in the diaspora inimical to Sri Lanka’s interests.

It is a matter of particular regret that such misguided action is undertaken by the Canadian Parliament at a time when the Sri Lankan people are faced with enormous challenges emanating from the economic crisis in the country, and therefore deserving of constructive engagement by the international community.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19 May, 2022

State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today (19 August).  The State Minister was received by Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage and other senior officials, upon his arrival at the Ministry. Religious observances were conducted to invoke blessings prior to the assumption of duties.

State Minister Balasuriya, addressing the gathering of senior officials and staff of the Ministry, following the assumption of duties, highlighted the importance of regional co-operation within Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and the necessity of exploring potential to attract investment to the country through regional co-operation. He reiterated that Sri Lanka will maintain close relations with neighbouring countries, especially within the Asian region with whom Sri Lanka has been maintaining close and friendly ties.

The State Minister also highlighted that he is looking forward to working closely with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the officials of the Ministry in achieving the foreign policy objectives of the country under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Welcoming the State Minister, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage extended congratulations on the new appointment and also highlighted the Foreign Ministry’s contribution to the development of Sri Lanka’s economic sector while maintaining the friendly neighbourhood foreign policy through regional co-operation.

State Minister Balasuriya was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and held the State Ministerial portfolio of Social Security following the establishment of the new Government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November 2019.

Previously, he was a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, for which he was elected in the year 2012.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

19 August 2020