Canadian deputy minister appreciates Sri Lanka’s reconciliation efforts (file)
Dove:
The Sri Lankan government has once again criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for engaging in vote-bank politics by constantly spreading “false narratives” regarding the ethnic conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE).
In a meeting with Canadian Deputy Minister for International Development Christopher MacLennan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this week, Lankan Foreign Minister Aruni Wijewardane expressed the island nation’s deep concern over a “high-level statement” issued in Canada “which is a false narrative of genocide.” in connection with the conflict which raged in the country for more than thirty years, until 2009.
Foreign Minister Wijewardane called on Canada to “cooperate constructively” with Sri Lanka and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Sri Lanka’s deep concern over high-level statements issued in Canada in recent years that presented a false narrative of genocide in relation to the conflict in Sri Lanka. “The Foreign Minister called on Canada to engage constructively with Sri Lanka and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation,” the Lankan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In response, the Canadian Deputy Minister appreciated Sri Lanka’s reconciliation efforts and assured that he would convey Sri Lanka’s concerns to Canadian authorities.
Also present at the meeting were Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh, officials from the Canadian High Commission and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Justin Trudeau designated May 18 as “Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day” to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the end of the bloody civil war in Sri Lanka.
“Two years ago, the Canadian Parliament voted unanimously to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. “We will always advocate for justice and accountability for crimes committed during the conflict, as well as for the challenges faced by all of Sri Lanka,” the Canadian Prime Minister said.
Colombo immediately responded to accusations of “genocide” and accused the Canadian prime minister of engaging in “vote bank politics.”
India has also made similar accusations against the Canadian prime minister as the country continues to focus its political attention on Khalistan separatists.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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