Genocide Day’ controversy : SL registers protest with Canadian HC

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (19), and condemned and rejected outright the statement issued by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 18 May 2023, the Ministry said in a release on Saturday.

It said: “Minister Sabry stated that the politically motivated statement was divisive and was issued for domestic political consumption in Canada. Sri Lanka vehemently rejects this unsubstantiated allegation of ‘genocide’ relating to the country’s almost three decades of terrorist conflict perpetuated by the LTTE. He observed that the inaccurate and provocative allegations in the statement will lead to polarizing Sri Lankans at this particular juncture when the Government is working towards economic stability, peace and reconciliation for all.

He emphasized that arbitrary and erroneous use of ‘genocide’ on Sri Lanka is driven by a small section of the politically motivated anti-Sri Lanka elements in the Diaspora with a separatist agenda.

As a long-standing bilateral partner, Sri Lanka would urge the co-operation of the Canadian Government and encourage a mutually supportive relationship between the two countries, whilst constructively engaging the community of Sri Lankan heritage in Canada to work towards realizing our common objectives of inclusive development and sustainable peace.”