To All MPs by a Concerned Citizen

January 27, 2025

This email is being sent to:

all MPs as many of you took part in a private member’s bill

all MPPs as many of you took part in a bill that became an act

all elected officials in Toronto as you deal with local police, Tamilfest etc.

all elected officials in Brampton 

Every single premier of Canada what lessen to take from Ontario and avoid it

Police chief of Toronto

Few other municipalities including Markham

and selected other interested parties

I hold various roles and collaborate with several organizations within my community, wearing different hats depending on the context. However, I wish to emphasize that the opinions and perspectives expressed here are solely mine. This letter represents my personal views, formulated independently, without consultation or influence from any other individual or organization.

Hello all,

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen who has called Canada home since 1986. Over the decades, I have been deeply grateful for Canada’s values of inclusivity, multiculturalism, and unity, which have made this country a beacon of hope for countless immigrants like me. However, I am increasingly alarmed by the growing divisions within our society, fueled by ethnic and identity politics. These trends, if left unchecked, threaten to unravel the social fabric that has defined Canada for generations. As a Tamil, I will focus on my community, but the broader implications are undeniable. A Japanese Canadian friend once told me, “If we all bring the problems of the countries we left behind, Canada will suffer because it undermines the values of unity, respect, and inclusivity that have made this country a beacon of hope for so many. While many draw attention to the human rights issues in their homelands, and these matters must be taken by Canada in international forums, where appropriate, Canada cannot bear the weight of solving all these problems domestically without jeopardizing its own social harmony, stability and global standing.”  Sadly, this warning seems more relevant today than ever, as evidenced by events on the streets of Ontario.

Let’s look at some statistics that came out only yesterday from Nanos research.

64% of Canadians say we are moving in the wrong direction. Our international reputation has also been affected in the last ten years very badly.

January is “Tamil Heritage Month”. On behalf of hundreds of thousands of peace-loving, hardworking, and resilient Tamil Canadians who have enriched this nation’s cultural fabric through their industrious spirit, unwavering dedication, and commitment to community building, I wish you all a splendid 2025. While these celebrations highlight the rich diversity that makes Canada unique, if every month is claimed by a different community, where does that leave the collective Canadian identity—just July 1st? I believe we must strive to be Canadians first, embracing and taking pride in the shared heritage of this great nation, while also acknowledging and paying deep respect to the true stewards of this land, the Indigenous peoples.”

The Role of Certain Leaders and Groups in the Tamil Community

I must address the actions of certain leaders and their associates, whose self-serving motives have deepened divisions within the Tamil community here in Canada. Focusing solely on the Tamil community, the individuals and groups of concern include:

Hon. Minister Gary Anandasangaree (MP), Hon. Associate Minister Vijay Thanigasalam (MPP), Toronto Councillor Parthi Kandavel, TDSB Trustee Neethan Shan, along with members of the so-called CT Collective: Luxmi Vasan, Joseph Chandrakanthan, Abimanyu Singam, and Mario Pushparatnam. Additionally, groups such as the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT), LTTE flag-waving sympathizers, and other nameless actors working behind the scenes have played a role in this discord.

While they may have only held meetings and made inflammatory statements, it was other individuals who carried out the acts of violence, defamatory social media campaigns, and other disruptive actions. However, their rhetoric and actions set the stage and indirectly encouraged these harmful outcomes.

As this is a lengthy email, I have addressed each individual or group in detail following the main issues discussed.

A Proud Legacy of Contribution and Inclusion

As a Tamil Canadian, I have actively worked to build bridges between communities and contribute meaningfully to Canadian society. Over the past 15 years, I have volunteered with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), a diaspora organization representing Tamils from Sri Lanka. Our efforts have focused on advocacy, cultural preservation, and community service. Some highlights include:

Advocating for human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) since 2009. In 2012, CTC joined two like-minded Tamil diaspora organizations from the USA and UK to engage actively in Geneva. We have also been primary advocates for sanctions related to Sri Lanka as part of the UNHRC process (many of you have received emails on this topic).

Organizing events to honor Canadian compassion, such as the 2016 banquet in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where we thanked the fishermen who rescued 155 Tamil refugees stranded at sea in 1986. Over 130 Tamils traveled from Toronto to make this event possible.

Showcasing Tamil culture during Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in Ottawa, where 350 attendees and participants highlighted our journey to Canada through performances and exhibits over two days. The theme was thank you Canada!

The Centre for Leadership and Innovation (CFLI) empowers youth by cultivating leadership and public speaking skills, shaping the next generation of Tamil Canadian leaders and influencers. Established in 2012 as a visionary initiative of the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), now independent CFLI continues to inspire and prepare young minds to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact.

Fostering cross-cultural understanding, such as a 2018 cultural exchange with the Mohawks of Tyendinaga to build bridges between Tamil Canadians and Indigenous peoples.

Raising over $300,000 through walkathons for charities like SickKids, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, CAMH, Amnesty International, and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund for Indigenous communities.

Supporting projects in Sri Lanka, raising an additional $300,000 plus to set up farms, build science lab for a Hill country Tamil school, and assist war-torn areas.

Establishing the Tamil Chair at the University of Toronto by collecting $3 million in partnership with the “Tamil Chair”.

Representing Tamil Canadians as the only Tamil community member of the “Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario.”

Commemorating key events, such as Black July ’83, milestone May Remembrance Day in Parliament, the 40th anniversary of the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, and the annual Pongal/Tamil Heritage Dinner, which attracts over 800 distinguished guests.

These achievements are just a few examples of CTC’s contributions. Notably, no other Tamil organization—whether the NCCT or others—can match the scope of our advocacy, cultural initiatives, or Canada-focused efforts.

Throughout, our work has been guided by principles of harmony, inclusiveness, togetherness, and peace, ensuring that our contributions enrich both the Tamil community and the broader Canadian society.

Rising Divisions and Attacks on Unity

In recent years, there has been a troubling rise in ethnic conflicts, including within the Tamil community. A notable example occurred in December 2023, when, as part of a Global Tamil Forum (GTF) initiative to promote peace in Sri Lanka, seven prominent Buddhist priests and seven Tamil diaspora members met with Sri Lanka’s President, along with all political leaders, leaders of all religious groups, past presidents of Sri Lanka, and NGOs. This meeting included former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the leader of a major political party.

Although Canada imposed a travel ban on the Rajapaksa brothers in January 2023, along with restrictions on financial dealings with them, the purpose of this meeting was to foster reconciliation and dialogue, culminating in the presentation of a peace proposal. The Rajapaksa party controlled 145 of the 225 parliamentary seats, making their involvement critical. Meeting all leaders was a joint decision made by the Buddhist clergy and the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), as the participation of every significant leader was essential for advancing the peace proposal.

Due to the last-minute arrangement of the meetings, CTC was not informed of the meeting beforehand. When we participated jointly, I ensured that my actions did not violate any of Canada’s sanction conditions, as I was one of the primary people who worked on the sanctions file!

Regrettably, a photograph from this meeting triggered a vicious campaign against CTC and its directors by MP Gary Anandasangaree, MPP Vijay Thanigasalem, Councillor Parthi Kandavel, some members of CT Collective, Gary’s wife, pro-LTTE elements, their supporters, and the NCCT/ spokesperson. Some of these groups, openly displaying the flags of the banned LTTE, have intensified their attacks:

In January 2024, CTC’s office was firebombed, causing significant damage. Shockingly, despite the office being located in the ridings of MP Gary Anandasangaree and MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, neither issued a statement condemning the attack. Even the non-Tamil councilor and Toronto Mayor, both well-acquainted with CTC, and me, remained silent.

A week after the bombing, the NCCT/spokesperson was seen outside the CTC office, with some participants waving LTTE flags and chanting slogans.

Tamilfest 2024, an annual celebration of Tamil culture, arts, and cuisine, was violently disrupted. Performers, including a popular musician from Tamil Nadu, India, were attacked with stones and bottles. The scene of rioters shouting vulgarities in Tamil through bullhorns, while police stood by, was reminiscent of unrest seen in other countries on television. The presence of LTTE flag-waving participants, along with restaurant owner, trustee, and others mingling with these unruly individuals, was deeply disheartening.

Videos documenting these incidents are widely available. Tamilfest, the largest event of its kind outside the Indian subcontinent, has previously attracted over 200,000 attendees, including the Prime Minister, the Toronto Mayor (every year until 2024), Federal and Provincial Ministers, and councilors. In 2024, however, the Toronto Mayor and several others were conspicuously absent.

Notably, the Markham Mayor and a few others deserve gratitude for standing up against such disruptive behavior and ensuring Canada does not become a battleground for foreign conflicts.

Adding to the hostility, a “Boycott CTC” campaign was launched, with some politicians tacitly supporting it by refusing to attend Tamilfest—an event they had consistently supported in the past.



A Dangerous Trend Across Communities

These incidents reflect a broader and disturbing pattern of rising ethnic tensions in Canada. Similar conflicts have emerged across various communities, including:

Jewish-Palestinian confrontations, escalating into violent episodes.

Sikh-Hindu clashes, particularly in Brampton.

Sinhalese-Tamil disputes, once unheard of in Canada, now surfacing in Brampton.

Tamil-on-Tamil violence, driven by divisive factions and political pandering.

Other tensions involving Ukrainian, Russian, Asian, Eritrean, and other communities.

These are not isolated events but the consequence of prioritizing ethnic and identity politics over the shared values of unity and inclusivity that define Canada.

Now, let’s look at how the Tamil politicians contributed to this issue:

(1) MP Gary Anandasangaree – Federal

Since his election in 2015, MP Gary Anandasangaree has been preoccupied with the term “Genocide.” Before his nomination, he explicitly advised many not to use the term. However, he later brought it to Parliament through three Private Members’ Bills: the first failed, while the other two passed.

As you know, such bills express the will of Parliament but do not represent the official position of the Government of Canada. The Prime Minister and Ministers often state at Tamil events that “Members passed this bill”—a subtle yet deliberate way to mislead the public. However, I have video evidence from the 2022 Tamil Heritage Month event where MP Anandasangaree, speaking in Tamil, claimed it was passed by the Government of Canada.

This misinformation is exploited by pro-LTTE factions, who plaster posters in Tamil shops claiming the Canadian government has recognized “Genocide.” Consequently, Tamil masses in Sri Lanka believe MP Anandasangaree has passed a resolution and await relief that will never come.  These posters are still their on these windows as of today.

Genocide is the highest international crime and should not be used casually by any community in Canada. Otherwise, Canada risks becoming a nation with multiple groups crying “Genocide.” For context, key UN reports—such as the UN Secretary-General’s Internal Review Panel Report (2012), the Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka (2011), the OHCHR Investigation Report (2015), and various UNHRC resolutions on Sri Lanka (2012-2024)—do not mention “Genocide.” Instead, they repeatedly refer to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed by both sides.

The last phase of UNHRC investigations (OSLAP) will conclude in September 2025, in my opinion. After that, it will be up to member states like Canada to prosecute war crimes under their domestic laws, should they permit such action. My humble request to politicians: do not use words you cannot substantiate, no matter the political pressure.

Challenge: I will personally contribute C$10,000 (LKR 2,000,000) from my retirement savings to a charity of your choice if any politician can bring a viable “Genocide” case against any individual in Sri Lanka to the ICC or ICJ in the next three years. MP Anandasangaree knows this is impossible but continues to use the term to appease extremists within the Tamil community, while those affected by the war in Sri Lanka remain in dire conditions.

In 2015, MP Anandasangaree’s said his party (Liberals) promise to initiate development projects in Sri Lanka’s war-affected areas. To this day, people are still waiting.


Personal Experience with MP Gary Anandasangaree

In my opinion, MP Gary Anandasangaree is a master manipulator. I was surprised when he was appointed Minister, but it seemed to be a move aimed at meeting ethnic, gender, and identity quotas rather than selecting the best candidate for Canada.

I regret running one of two satellites GOTV offices in 2015 during his first campaign. Many supporters of CTC also backed him, yet when he introduced the Tamil Heritage Bill, he did not acknowledge CTC’s contributions. After raising the issue over lunch, he promised to rectify this during the second reading but merely mentioned, “CTC started Tamilfest,” and nothing more.

At major events organized by CTC:

During Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in Ottawa, when 350 Tamil community members and participants showcased Tamil contributions, his involvement was limited to a 5-minute booth visit.

In 2018, when CTC held a two-day cultural exchange with Indigenous peoples in their territory, he visited our hotel for 5 minutes but skipped the exchange entirely—despite now being Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

Additionally:

MP Anandasangaree brought a confidential sexual misconduct allegation against an individual associated with CTC. The allegation was leaked online from his taxpayer-funded office, forcing a third-party investigation costing CTC $9,000, which completely exonerated the accused. One should ask MP Anandasangaree, whether he substantiated his case? He refused to meet with CTC to personally to give the results of the investigation.

He wrote to the Ministers of Immigration and Public Safety requesting a visa denial for a Tamil state TV station crew planning to film and showcase Tamil Heritage events in 2017. Yet, the very next day, he gave interviews to the same medias in Sri Lanka.

When prominent Tamil MPs from Sri Lanka visited Canada in November 2021, their update on U.S. State Department meetings was disrupted violently by NCCT/spokesperson and LTTE flag-waving individuals, and others. Despite the violence, MP Anandasangaree refused to issue a statement condemning the disruption.

Finally, two days later during his private meeting with these Tamil MPs in Ottawa, he requested they avoid posting any pictures of the meeting until they left Canada. What a cowardly move for someone supposedly representing the Tamil community.

(2) MPP Vijay Thanigasalam – Provincial/Ontario

Not to be outdone, MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, shortly after the Federal member’s private member’s bill, introduced a bill in the Ontario Parliament titled the “Tamil Genocide Education Week.” This bill became an act with Royal Assent, unlike MP Gary Anandasangaree’s private member’s bill, which seems to collect dust. My understanding is that it also came with over $40,000 in taxpayer funding. Yet, the community remains unaware of what is being taught or who received the funds.

I am not sure who is responsible for providing the syllabus or materials for this annual weeklong education on “genocide.” As I have previously noted, none of the UN documents reference genocide in this context. This act faced a court challenge and subsequent appeal (unrelated to proving genocide or not), with hundreds of thousands of Ontario taxpayers’ dollars spent. MPP Vijay Thanigasalam uses this act to promote himself and secure reelection. Both MP Gary Anandasangaree and MPP Vijay Thanigasalam represent same riding with significant Tamil populations. I hope that in the next election, voters will prioritize Canadian values over Tamil-centric politics.

I challenge the Ontario Parliament to declare a month-long education initiative every June about the history and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in this country. A good starting point would be the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from December 2015 (where it’s mentioned Genocide). The $40,000 spent on Tamil Genocide Education Week would be far better allocated to Genocide of the indigenous people.

At this point, I would like to raise another concern. In my opinion, the wording used in both the Federal and Provincial motions should not have been permitted. Tamil is a language primarily spoken in Tamil Nadu, India, by nearly 70 million people. It is one of the oldest living languages, dating back to 500 BCE, with a written tradition from the same period. Tamil has a rich and unbroken cultural history spanning generations. It is recognized globally, designated as a classical language in India, an official language in Singapore, and a national language in Sri Lanka, as well as the official state language of Tamil Nadu. Tamils live in over 100+ countries and are known as peace-loving, hardworking, and industrious people.

Labeling these motions as “Tamil Genocide” was a significant misstep. It would have been more appropriate to refer to the event as “Mullivaikkal Genocide” if the term genocide had to be used. It is surprising that this issue has not been brought to the attention of the Honorable M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, or the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Both leaders frequently extol the Tamil language’s significance, yet it has been inappropriately linked to a contentious event in another country (an event that remains unproven). When people search for “Tamil” online, they should encounter its rich linguistic and cultural heritage, not the divisive legislation passed by Canadian Federal and Provincial governments.

This situation is analogous to labeling an event in Quebec as a “French Genocide,” which would undoubtedly upset the French-speaking community. I hope India takes this matter seriously and advocate for a change in the terminology used in these bills and acts. This misuse of the term “Tamil” serves only to inflate the egos of MP Gary Anandasangaree and MPP Vijay Thanigasalam without aiding the Tamil people suffering in Sri Lanka.

Finally, I encourage everyone to watch MPP Vijay Thanigasalam’s May 2024 speech in Tamil, delivered to an audience predominantly waving LTTE flags. The event was ostensibly held to remember the tens of thousands who perished during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war in May 2009. While he may not have physically incited violence, his speech effectively weaponized the crowd, urging them to boycott two groups. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to deduce that these groups were CTC and GTF. Behind him stood two Ontario Provincial Ministers, clapping and cheering. While they may not understand Tamil, their actions were concerning.

A week later, the Ontario Ministry of Multiculturalism invited all 17 communities in the Canadian Multicultural Council (CMC) to meet with the Minister as part of Asian Heritage Month. However, the invitation specifically said not the “Tamil Group.” The CMC members convened and responded that as a multicultural organization, they work inclusively. Either all communities come, or only important office bearers will attend. Consequently, only the top three office bearers attended the meeting.

(3) Councillor Parthi Kandavel – Toronto Municipality
This involves a by-election incident. Councillor Kandavel reportedly called for a boycott of Tamilfest through his actions and later discussed his grievances about CTC in a forum organized by the next group (4). He cited three reasons for his dislike of CTC:

Lack of Support: CTC did not support him during his by-election campaign.

Terminology Dispute: While many others publicly used the term “Genocide,” CTC refrained from doing so at that time.

Election Date Issue: When the by-election was called in November 2023, the original date was set for November 27. Kandavel sought and obtained a letter from the NCCT and TGTE to request a postponement, citing that November 27 is observed as National Heroes Day (a day also associated with the birthday of the LTTE leader on November 26).

Respecting Canadian laws, as CTC and hundreds of thousands Tamils do not observe this day, they initially did not provide a support letter for the postponement. Kandavel, as a candidate, had to call/contact through others multiple times before CTC eventually sent this letter. Even today, posters from that time remain in some Scarborough stores, bearing phrases like: “The thirst of Tigers is the Homeland of Thamileelam.” The term Tigers refers to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a group designated as a terrorist entity in Canada since April 2006, as well as in the USA and 31 other countries worldwide.

It is concerning that a world-class city like Toronto would accede to such a request, ultimately moving the by-election date to November 30. This raises questions about the principles guiding such decisions. With Canada welcoming more immigrants from diverse backgrounds, where do we draw the line? On one hand, the LTTE is proscribed as a terrorist organization; on the other hand, we see their flags displayed openly, posters celebrating them, and even election dates being changed to accommodate such sentiments.

Shame on the Mayor and the Toronto Municipality for yielding to such a request. It is even more disgraceful that Kandavel then used this incident to attack CTC in a forum organized by the group referenced below.

(4) Neethan Shan, School Trustee – TDSB & the Canadian Tamil Collective

It is unclear how this group chose its name, but some have mockingly referred to it as the “Tamil Talibans.” The group positions itself as the authority on how Tamils should behave and act, often targeting organizations like CTC for “correction” or criticism.

Neethan Shan, a career politician, has contested 11 elections since 2003 and won four (36% pass rate). He seems determined to remain a leader in the Tamil community, despite his inability to win even after shopping for ridings. He should let other capable young candidates contest for the roles he occupies. From school trustee in 2003 to his current position as a school trustee, he has contested elections at almost every level except federal.

Neethan Shan, along with three lawyers (friends of Minister Gary Anandasangaree, including one who worked in his office) and Reverend Chandrakanthan (who mainly appears at Tamil events where he has speaking engagements), attempted to take over or dictate how CTC should operate. They exploited a platform for this agenda by holding and organizing three or four community and press meetings, inviting so-called Tamil media.  This group, as a collective, has contributed very little towards advancing advocacy for Tamils or fostering the promotion of Tamil identity in Canada.

While there are a few genuine Tamil media outlets, the majority consist of individuals with cell phones expressing personal opinions. Among them, LTTE sympathizers are camouflaged. At their first meeting, attended by fewer than 50 people, they began by paying homage to fallen LTTE soldiers and accusing India of being a “terrorist nation” responsible for their deaths. Such rhetoric raises questions about visa applications for these individuals and their families when visiting India and also contributes to unpleasant Canada-India relations.

For those unfamiliar with the LTTE’s operations in Canada, here is a summary from the Canadian House of Commons report titled “Canada and the Crisis in Sri Lanka” (FAAE, May 2009). The report, produced by an all-party committee, states:

“There are serious concerns about the efforts of the LTTE in Canada and other countries to raise funds and gain influence. The Committee was deeply disturbed by testimony and media reports claiming that some supporters of the LTTE practice intimidation and extortion among the large Tamil community within Canada. While the financing of terrorist groups is illegal in Canada, ending practices such as intimidation and extortion is obviously a challenge.”

In August 2024, Canada extended the LTTE ban after a review concluded that the group’s international fundraising and procurement networks remain active. India extended its LTTE ban in May 2024, citing activities prejudicial to the nation’s integrity and security. The United States continues to designate the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), emphasizing its commitment to curtailing terrorism.

Yet, despite these designations, LTTE supporters openly carry the flag and intimidate people and resort to violent activities. For example:

February 2024: CTC office was fire bombed, and LTTE flag waving individuals including NCCT/spokesperson were protesting a week later outside the office.

Tamilfest 2024: Multiple incidents of intimidation occurred despite CTC paying for police protection.

January 1, 2024: Neethan Shan raised the LTTE flag alongside minors, an act unbecoming of the current Chair of TDSB trustees. That’s the best thing he had to start the year.

According to news releases,  in January 2024, a Toronto man was charged with public incitement of hatred for waving a terrorist flag (not LTTE) during a downtown demonstration. Police Chief Myron Demkiw stated: “We’re not putting up with this kind of hateful conduct… This type of allegation points to an extremist, hateful perspective that we do not welcome in the city.”

Despite such laws, these incidents continue. Is law enforcement limited by political pressures? As someone present at Tamilfest, I can attest to feeling threatened by the LTTE flag-waving crowd. Videos of these events, including police footage, should be reviewed and appropriate action taken.  According to news reports, there were also two arrests in October 2024 for waving a designated terrorist flag (not LTTE). With USA tightening border control, it’s important for Canada to not let such activities to take place.  All flags of Terrorist organization should be banned when it threatens the public!

Rumors in the community suggest that large sums of money raised by LTTE supporters before 2009 were invested in Tamil-owned businesses in Canada. My wild guess is the amount could have been CAD 100 million, as few years collections were not remitted. With compounding, this could now exceed CAD 400 million (rule of 72 at 10%). A forensic audit by RCMP or CSIS could trace these funds, exposing illegal financial networks. There were incidents recently in some temples with LTTE supporters wanting to take control (social media videos). There is also well funded operations with sophisticated social media attack ads against CTC and anyone connected to CTC, their spouses children and others. Some are very hateful and harmful. Some are vicious. Funding is flowing from some sources and some of them may be used for political contributions or to buy connections. Just a week ago the Prime Minister was at one temple accompanied by Gary Anandasangaree. It will be interesting to see who all were at the temple then. An anonymous tip line (1-800-) might encourage the community to report what they know.

Recovered funds could benefit the Tamil families in Sri Lanka who suffered during the war. At the current exchange rate, CAD 400 million could translate to SLR 800,000 per family for nearly 100,000 families.

Upcoming Elections

In 2018, Vijay Thanigasalem was reported by Global News to have made the following quotes on his Facebook posts:

“Happy 57th birthday to our National Leader” (referring to the LTTE leader).

“The Black Tigers are the protective armours of our ethnic community.” This quote referenced the rebel leader and added: “They are the eliminator of obstacles of our war path. They are burning humans that destroy the armed power of the enemy through their inner willpower.”

Once these posts were highlighted, Thanigasalem quickly tweeted:

“In the past, I shared material related to the Tamil Tigers. I apologize, and I no longer hold those views.”

Such behavior should be unequivocally condemned in Canada and not allowed to take root. Despite this, the party’s provincial nomination committee approved his candidacy in 2018, accepting that he no longer held those views.

However, his recent actions are deeply troubling. He addressed a large crowd where many individuals openly displayed the LTTE flag. His fiery speech in Tamil reportedly called for a boycott of CTC and its events. This rhetoric appears to have incited some flag-waving individuals to engage in hate-mongering, disrupt Tamilfest visitors with vulgar language, and even escalate to incidents of bottle-throwing, as noted earlier. While I am not directly attributing blame to him, such inflammatory speech and tone undeniably contribute to fueling unwanted actions. Watch the video!

With election fever building at both federal and provincial levels, there is a risk that other candidates with similar views could get swept into power. It is crucial that nomination committees thoroughly vet individuals to ensure they uphold Canadian values, prioritize Canada first, and are not tied to past associations with the LTTE.

For context, prior to the Sri Lankan presidential election in September 2024, the NCCT released a statement supporting a so-called Tamil common candidate. They reiterated familiar demands, including: Declaring Tamil people as a nation. Recognizing claims of genocide. Calling for international investigations.

Despite their push, only 14% of Tamil voters in Sri Lanka supported this candidate. The majority voted for the current government or other mainstream parties supported by the primary Tamil party. This voting trend demonstrates a disconnect between diaspora narratives and the realities faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, if anyone campaigns on platforms emphasizing genocide claims, ICC, or referendums (as the NCCT often does), it is worth pointing to the democratic choice made by Tamils in Sri Lanka. What matters is how they voted, not what is being said abroad.


A Call to Action

As leaders in federal, provincial, or municipal politics, you play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. I urge you to:

Reject Divisive Politics: Avoid pandering to groups that exploit ethnic or identity issues, or “back-home” politics, for political gain. Such actions only deepen divisions and undermine Canada’s unity.

Promote Togetherness: Champion initiatives that foster understanding and harmony among communities. Support organizations and events that bring people together rather than divide them.

Condemn Violence and Intimidation: Speak out against acts of violence, such as firebombing offices or harassment at community events. Uphold the rule of law and ensure banned organizations like the LTTE are not allowed to operate under any guise.

Preserve Canada’s Values: Reinforce the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and multiculturalism that make Canada a global model of harmony.

Thank you,

 Sincerely,

Raj/Raj Thavaratnasingham

PS; Judge for yourself the significance of a peace-building initiative undertaken by seven courageous Tamil representatives from the diaspora (USA, Canada, UK, India, Australia) and seven Buddhist priests from Sri Lanka. None of us have any personal interests tied to politics, business, or legal matters such as immigration. Our sole motivation is a genuine desire to find a sustainable solution to the challenges facing Sri Lanka—one that ensures all people can live in peace, equality, justice, and dignity.

Background:

In 1958, a political party in Sri Lanka (Party A) attempted to sign a pact with Tamil leaders to grant reasonable language rights in the Tamil-speaking regions of the North and East. However, the opposition (Party B) and Buddhist priests organized widespread protests, leading to the pact’s cancellation. In 1965, Party B, now in power, proposed a similar agreement, only to face protests from Party A and Buddhist clergy, again resulting in its abrogation.

These cycles of resistance and rejection have repeated throughout Sri Lanka’s history. As recently as February 2023, approximately 1,000 Buddhist priests protested when the former President mentioned devolving power to Tamils based on existing constitutional provisions.

Recognizing the deep religious influence in Sri Lankan society, the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) facilitated a historic meeting in Nepal between seven prominent Buddhist priests from Sri Lanka and seven Tamil representatives from the diaspora. Over four days of deliberations, we worked collaboratively and arrived at a framework for progress: the Himalaya Declaration.

HIMALAYA DECLARATION

“A Sri Lanka where every individual can live peacefully with dignity, trust, and no fear or suspicion, enjoying equal rights.”

Nagarkot, Nepal – 27th April 2023

Statement 1 Preserving and promoting the pluralistic character of the country where no community feels threatened about losing its identity and pride of place.

Statement 2 Overcoming the economic crisis, selecting an appropriate development model which encourages local production, facilitating involvement and investment from overseas Sri Lankans and others, ensuring the country is in a growth trajectory and making Sri Lanka firmly a middle-income country.

Statement 3 Arriving at a new constitution that guarantees individual and collective rights and promotes equality and equal citizenship among all peoples, ensures accountable institutions and guarantees adequate devolution of powers to the provinces, and until such time focus on the faithful implementation of provisions of sharing of powers in the existing constitution.

Statement 4 Devolving power in a united and undivided country, accepting the religious, cultural, and other identities of people and respecting those identities, and working towards establishing trust between ethnic groups and religious groups.

Statement 5 Envision a Sri Lanka that is reconciled and committed to learning from its past and creating measures including accountability to ensure that such suffering never occur again.

Statement 6 Complying with bilateral and multilateral treaties and international obligations, taking steps to follow independent and dynamic foreign policy, and ensuring the country takes its pride of place among the democratic, peaceful, and prosperous nations of the world.

In April 2023, during our meeting, we collectively resolved to present the signed Himalaya Declaration to key stakeholders: the President of Sri Lanka, leaders of all political parties, heads of religious institutions, former presidents, NGOs, and select foreign missions, including Canada. This commitment included meeting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the leader of the largest party in Sri Lanka, which held 145 of the 225 parliamentary seats, as outlined in my letter.

The meetings were highly productive; however, backlash erupted in Canada—though not a word came from any other country—when a UK-based, low-grade online publication, Tamil Guardian (whose owners are close friends of MP Gary Anandasangaree), published an article titled “A Betrayal Beyond Belief” with the subheading: Tamil Canadians vent their fury at CTC after meeting with Rajapaksa. The article attributed comments to MP Gary Anandasangaree, Neethan Shan, Abimanyu Singam, and a few others, including Gary’s wife. While I won’t waste time repeating their statements here, you can easily find more details online by searching with the keywords above.

The declaration itself is broad-based and inclusive. As planned, it has now been handed over to local community and religious leaders in Sri Lanka, who are engaging with their communities to build consensus. Encouragingly, one of the Buddhist priests who signed the declaration has since become a Mahanayake, the head of his nikaya (sect). I sincerely hope these efforts bear fruit, bringing peace and prosperity to all Sri Lankans.

Unfortunately, some Tamil representatives in Canada have pursued self-serving agendas that do not align with the aspirations of Tamil people in Sri Lanka. They continue to collaborate only with Tamil politicians clinging to outdated LTTE ideologies, failing to move forward despite the war having ended in July 2009. With the UNHRC process likely concluding in September 2025, the best hope for those left behind is to propose reasonable constitutional reforms that address the needs of all communities. Like it or not, the ultimate solution must emerge from within Sri Lanka itself, as the dynamics of the global order have fundamentally shifted.

While the Tamil diaspora has flourished in Canada and elsewhere, thousands of war-affected individuals in Sri Lanka still live in dire conditions, with no clear path forward. The youth, in particular, lack direction and opportunities for their future. As an MP, Gary Anandasangaree could have leveraged Canadian government resources, fostered development aid, and built personal relationships with moderate Sri Lankan politicians to facilitate real change. Instead, his focus on three genocide resolutions reflects the same extremism seen in other Tamil leaders (some in Sri Lanka) who remain tethered to the past, refusing to turn the page and work toward a better future.

Who Am I?

My name is Raj Thavaratnasingham, and I arrived in Canada in 1986. For many years, I remained uninvolved in Tamil issues or politics, focusing instead on supporting students through an organization that advances career opportunities and post-graduate studies. Over the last twenty years, this initiative has helped over 5,000 Tamil Canadian students and parents with post-secondary career counseling.

Since January 2009, however, I have actively engaged with organizations like the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) and other initiatives. I’ve contributed to most CTC achievement mentioned in this letter, many in a leadership role. During the final stages of the war, I worked with the mainstream labor group Canadians Concerned About Sri Lanka, contributed to the Canada and the Crisis in Sri Lanka report, and organized a week-long “Tamil Awareness Week” at the Scarborough Civic Center in early May 2009.

My involvement includes liaising with every single UNHRC session since May 2009, numerous visits to Ottawa on UNHRC and other matters, and close collaboration with the Global Tamil Forum (GTF). I’ve attended many high-level meetings at the U.S. State Department, participated in many Sangamam meetings in New Jersey, and met with numerous UNHRC office personnel, including meeting the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Notable initiatives include participating in the Berghof Foundation’s conflict resolution meetings in Berlin with diaspora to come up with the “Common Framework Agreement” alongside various Sri Lankan Tamil stakeholders (common agreement Tamils ?) , the Singapore Principles 11 discussions, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ “Dealing with the Past” processes in Zurich with diaspora Tamils.

I’ve served as President of the Canadian Tamil Congress for four years, President of the Canadian Multicultural Council for two years (continue to serve on its Advisory Council). Beyond these, I am proud of my working career in Canada, and my 15+ years as a volunteer on the Business Advisory Board at Centennial College, and my fundraising work with Centenary Hospital Foundation Board. As a senior, now I am also volunteering with a seniors’ group. My volunteer efforts have been recognized with awards such as the Queen Elizabeth  Medal, the Scarborough Mirror Urban Hero Award and Ontario service Awards.

My Goal
After nearly 40 years, I returned to Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka during the handover of the Himalaya Declaration. Witnessing the dire situation of our people firsthand has only deepened my determination to help improve their lives. My hope is to encourage all stakeholders in Sri Lanka to come up with a path forward, culminating in a workable constitutional solution that benefits all communities, especially Tamils in Sri Lank.

Celebrating Unity and Friendship

As I reflect on Canada’s values of compassion and inclusivity, one story stands out as a testament to the remarkable spirit of our country.

In September 2023, my wife and I had the privilege of visiting Newfoundland and driving through Gander, a town forever etched in history for its extraordinary response on September 11, 2001. That day, 38 planes, out of 238 redirected to Canada, landed unexpectedly in Gander, doubling the town’s population overnight. The people of Gander came together selflessly, opening their homes, hearts, and pantries to support stranded passengers for days.

I later had the honor of meeting the Premier of Newfoundland and suggested that Canada and Newfoundland celebrate the 25th anniversary of this remarkable event by inviting Americans to experience our beautiful country. With the tensions that have arisen between our nations, this celebration would serve as a timely reminder of the strength of friendship and unity.

I also shared with him the story of the Tamil boat arrivals in 1986 and how the CTC visited Newfoundland in 2016 to express gratitude. I proudly mentioned that we can also plan to return in 2026 to commemorate Newfoundland’s enduring spirit of hospitality.

Perhaps now, more than ever, we need to remind our neighbors to the south that this is what true friendship looks like – extending a helping hand, opening our doors, and building bridges of understanding. Together, let us celebrate the power of unity, compassion, and the bonds that bring us closer as communities and as nations.

Sent from Outlook

About editor 3270 Articles
Writer and Journalist living in Canada since 1987. Tamil activist.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply