Canada genocide claims: Bill 104 with Federal, Provincial authorities
Sri Lanka’s firm protest against false claims in a Bill titled 104 (An Act to Proclaim Tamil Genocide Education Week), including an exaggerated number of casualties at the conclusion of the conflict in Sri Lanka and allegations of ‘genocide’ had been conveyed to Canada, the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa said.
The HC said in a statement issued yesterday, after The Island, took up the issue with Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha as regards a story titled ‘Canadian move to legitimize genocide brought to govt. attention’ with strap line ‘… controversial Bill 104 alleges 146,679 killed in May 2009 alone’ on June 5 issue on the basis of information provided by Canada-based Dr. Chandre Dharmawardana.
Referring to media reports regarding the Private Member Bill 104 presented in 2019 to the Ontario Legislative Assembly, the HC in Ottawa said: “The High Commission and the Consulate General in Toronto continue engagement in this regard with both the Federal and Provincial authorities.
“Sri Lanka’s firm protest against the blatantly false claims being made in the Bill including the grossly exaggerated number of casualties at the conclusion of the conflict in Sri Lanka and allegations of genocide, have been conveyed. The authorities have also been urged to consider a balanced view and not to be swayed by prejudicial viewpoints propagated by certain anti-Sri Lanka activists in Canada.
“It is observed that several Sri Lanka groups and individuals in Canada have also engaged the Canadian authorities against the misrepresentations in the politically motivated Private Member Bill.
“The Missions in Canada will continue to remain engaged with relevant organizations during the process.”
Dr. Sarath Chandrasekere of the Canadian –Sri Lankan Centre for Social Harmony told The Island that the controversial Bill moved by Canadian of Sri Lankan origin V. Thanigasalam had reached the committee stage. According to him, interested parties had an opportunity to make representations in this regard. Such deliberations were in addition to discussions among the members of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. Responding to a query, the academic said that sometimes such controversial Bills suffered a natural death though Sri Lanka was not in a position to turn a blind eye against the backdrop of high profile on-going project against the country.
Dr. Chadrasekere said that contrary to claims Bill 104 hadn’t been passed in the Ontario Legislature though it received approval at the first reading. The Bill was currently at the committee stage pending public consultations. Those who backed the Bill couldn’t secure sufficient backing at the second reading with 59 throwing their weight behind the move, whereas 66 either refrained from voting or said ‘No.’ The Bill had to be referred to the relevant committee for want of required support in the Ontario Legislature.
Dr. Chandre-Dharma-wardana, in his submissions made to the Committee on May 29, 2020 emphasized that the Ontario Legislature was neither empowered nor competent to address the contents of the Bill; hence the Bill should not be given a third reading under any circumstances.
The academic said that he was awaiting an opportunity to appear before the Committee to make oral submissions.
In his written submissions, Dr. Chandre-Dharma-wardana cited a confidential US embassy dispatch from its mission in Geneva to Washington in July 2009 to contradict genocide claims.
The relevant communication dealt with a confidential discussion the then US Ambassador Clint Williamson had with top ICRC official Jacques de Maio.
Both Dr. Chandre-Dharma-wardana and Dr. Chadrasekere said that a determined effort should be made not only in Canada but also in other major capitals as well to counter blatant lies propagated by those who backed the LTTE.
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