Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) understands the hurt feelings and regrets any pain caused by the meeting with Mahinda Rajapaksha to hand over the Himalaya Declaration
Representatives of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and senior Buddhist monks from different Nikayas in Sri Lanka (collectively, the “Delegation”) had dialogue in Nagarkot, Nepal in April 2023 and arrived at the “Himalaya Declaration”, a copy of which is attached.
As the next step in the process, the Delegation had a number of meetings in Sri Lanka which included meetings with religious leaders, civil society leaders and diplomatic missions including the USA, UK, Swiss and Canada. The delegation also met with the President of Sri Lanka, the Leader of the Opposition, most leaders of the national political parties, key political leaders representing Eelam Tamils, Upcountry Tamils and Muslims, past Presidents, current and former speaker, Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament from all political parties. The purpose of these meetings was to hand over the Himalaya Declaration and inform them that this initiative will be taken to the people across the country to start a National Conversation. All who received the Himalaya Declaration assured their full support to help facilitate the national conversation to create an environment where a political process led by the elected Tamil leaders on the ground can take place for lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
As part of the Himalaya Declaration’s mandate for pluralistic engagement, the Delegation also met with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a party with the most members in the current Sri Lankan Parliament (MP’s). This meeting was to ensure that anyone with influence was made aware of the Himalaya Declaration and its
mandate for meaningful dialogue. We acknowledge and understand that the images from this meeting and the meeting itself has evoked strong emotions of hurt feelings among the Tamil Canadians and Tamils within the diaspora. CTC genuinely regret and share the pain that this has caused, and it was never CTC’s intention to cause this pain. The primary aim of the Himalaya Declaration and all subsequent meetings has always been to involve all significant stakeholders on the island in initiating a dialogue aimed at achieving an acceptable permanent solution for Tamils. We are not involved in any political settlement negotiations, a responsibility that rests with the
elected Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka.
CTC has been at the forefront of advocating for accountability and justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sri Lanka through its ongoing advocacy efforts locally and internationally, including its participation at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since 2009.
One of CTC’s core mandates is to work towards achieving accountability and justice for human rights atrocities committed in Sri Lanka, especially during the last stages of the war and we reaffirm our commitment to continue to work rigorously to achieve justice and accountability. CTC will not compromise its mandate while working to achieve economic development in the war affected Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka and supporting the process to create long lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
Unfortunately, there have been misinterpretations of the intent behind the Himalaya Declaration and unwarranted attacks against CTC officials, members, volunteers and supporters. We condemn such actions, which threaten to undermine the years of dedicated work and progress towards accountability, justice and peace.
For more information and media inquiries, contact: info@canadiantamilcongress.ca
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