Sri Lanka rejects allegation raised by Canadian PM in Black July statement

Sri Lanka has rejected some of the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement to mark Black July.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said that it vehemently rejected allegations of genocide in Sri Lanka mentioned in the statement issued by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Sri Lanka?s position on this matter has been previously reiterated to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.?

“This allegation arising from local domestic vote bank politics in Canada is not conducive to unity and communal harmony in both Sri Lanka and Canada,” the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said.

Trudeau issued the following statement to mark 41 years since Black July:

?Forty-one years ago today, violent attacks targeting Tamil civilians and businesses started in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of innocent lives were lost, and many more Tamils were injured, subjected to sexual violence, and forced to flee the country. The anti-Tamil pogrom, known as Black July, escalated tensions in what became a decades-long armed conflict. It remains one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka?s history.

?In 2022, the Parliament of Canada unanimously adopted a motion to make May 18 Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day ? a recognition of Canada?s commitment to stand in solidarity with Tamil-Canadians and Tamil communities around the world in remembering and honouring the victims and survivors of these senseless acts of violence. As a steadfast defender of human rights, the Government of Canada will continue to demand accountability for human rights violations and abuses against vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.

?In the aftermath of Black July, Canada established a Special Measures program to help 1,800 Tamils relocate to safety in Canada and build new lives for themselves and their families. Canada now has one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world, and we celebrate the contributions Tamil-Canadians make to our country every single day ? and we will always protect them.

?On this day, I join Canadians in expressing my deepest condolences to all who have suffered and lost loved ones during Black July. Together, let us honour the victims of this tragedy and recommit to building a more inclusive and peaceful future, free of hate and violence, for people everywhere.? (Colombo Gazette)