Canadian Tamil Congress President Raj Thavaratnasingham’s Speech at the 8th Annual Thai Pongal Dinner

On behalf of the Canadian Tamil Congress, I am pleased to welcome you to our 8th Annual Dinner. The Tamil calendar month of thai, or January, is heralded as the coming of new beginnings.

Just over a week ago many Tamils turned their attention to the elections that took place in Sri Lanka, and are hoping for a new beginning. Tamils, called upon by their elected representatives and by organizations like CTC and Global Tamil Forum, turned up in large numbers to vote and helped to topple the authoritarian Rajapakse regime.

CTC, like many others, has called for the new president to address the grievances of the Tamil people so they can live with peace, dignity, equality and justice. We remain hopeful that friendly countries like Canada, India, the U.S.A and UK—who have provided much support so far—can persuade the new government to resolve the underlying issues so that everyone in that country can move forward.

Many Tamils from Sri Lanka arrived in this incredible country we now call home from war torn areas and years of discrimination. Although a majority of the Tamils have made the GTA their home, we are spread everywhere in this beautiful welcoming country. In the short period we have been here, Tamils have reached new heights and as a community have gone on to make a mark for themselves, in all aspects of life. Many Tamils are now taking part in elections, and more Tamils got elected to various political positions in 2014 than in any previous year. We are very proud of their achievements.

For all of us at CTC, last year was yet another year that was challenging, but rewarding. In our Voice Magazine and presentation to follow you will catch a glimpse of the incredible milestones we continue to reach.

2014 was a big year for us in the international arena. From meeting government officials in Ottawa or other parts of the world, to hosting key players and newsmakers in the international human rights arena, CTC has kept our international advocacy work front and center. Our International team once again did excellent advocacy work at the United Nations Human Rights Council in March, June and September of 2014. In March, our team played an integral role in the passage of another UN resolution, which established an international inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final stages of war. A CTC representative joined a TNA delegation to Botswana and South Africa merely days before the resolution was passed. It was honestly an incredible feeling to see CTC’s advocacy work help make such a strong international impact and I have every reason to believe that with your generous support, 2015 will be no different. We work with the hope that meaningful devolution will take place satisfactory to the Tamil people living in Sri Lanka. Only then can we hope to see a truly brighter future not only for Tamils in Sri Lanka, but for all people on the island.

The work we do at Canadian Tamil Congress would not be possible without the generous support of our members, especially our sustaining members, friends, advertisers, sponsors and the community at large. Every one of you has helped us in some way – whether in spending your valuable time or your generous dollars – and we sincerely thank you for that. From a humble beginning in 2000, and a year away from celebrating our 15th anniversary, CTC would not be where it is if not for people like you.

Friends, 2015 will be an extremely big year for us! We have been working tirelessly to attain an international investigation. With the findings of the UN investigation’s report to be presented in March 2015, the international pressure MUST remain, and rest assured that CTC will continue to play our part in that regard. While the new Presidency brings about hope for change, only time will tell. What remains sure however, in the words of his Holiness the Pope, is that “the process of healing must also include the pursuit of truth”. Let us never forget us that.

On behalf everyone at the Canadian Tamil Congress, I once again wish you a very happy year.