The Canadian Tamil Congress Strongly Condemns Attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2014

The Canadian Tamil Congress Strongly Condemns Attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka

June 16 2014 – (TORONTO) The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) condemns in the strongest manner possible attacks on Muslim community in Sri Lanka. Several people have been killed and more than 78 people injured after the most recent horrendous attack near Aluthgama and Beruwala in Sri Lanka yesterday.

These targeted attacks by Sinhala Buddhist Nationalist groups have grown in numbers in the past few years, and as is habitual in Sri Lanka, none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. “The lukewarm and ineffective measures taken by law enforcement and government officials has emboldened the extremist Sinhala Buddhist organizations like Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization and the attacks have kept growing”, said David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.

Tamils, who are mainly Hindus and Christians, expected to remember the 31st anniversary of “Black July”, in Toronto and all over the world, in July 1983, Sinhala nationalist mobs killed over 3000 Tamils in the streets of Colombo and all across Sri Lanka. CTC condemns the recent attacks on Muslims , and urges Canadian government and the international community to send a very strong message to the current Sri Lankan government to take effective and timely action to stop these violence against minorities immediately and bring the perpetrators to justice.

We also extend our deepest sympathies to victims of this recent violence in Sri Lanka.

For more information, please contact David Poopalapillai, national spokesperson, Canadian Tamil Congress 905-781-7034 / 416-240-0078