Statement from MP Heather McPherson

Statement on the Situation in Sri Lanka

"Sri Lanka’s armed conflict has deepened discrimination and marginalisation of the country’s minorities, particularly the Tamil community.

The United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, which passed last month, is a victory for victims of abuse and an opportunity for the collection of information and evidence of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s long civil war, which ended in 2009. The resolution was introduced by the Core Group on Sri Lanka namely United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.

The continued unjust treatment of minorities in Sri Lanka is unacceptable.

In June of 2019, the NDP’s unanimous consent motion regarding atrocities committed in Sri Lanka against the Tamils was passed. Canada must reclaim its role as a global leader in peacekeeping. We urge the Liberal government to hold up our motion and stand in solidary with the Tamil community to ensure democracy prevails in Sri Lanka."