24.05.2025 – Toronto, Canada.
Toronto, May 2025 – A significant resolution has been passed by the City Council of Toronto to establish a permanent monument commemorating the Tamil genocide. This marks a new chapter not only in Canadian political history but also in the global struggle for Tamil justice and recognition.
What the Resolution Says
The motion, introduced by City Councillor Parthi Kandavel and seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow, was passed unanimously. It directs city staff to consult with Tamil community organizations to determine the location and design of the monument, particularly in the Scarborough area – home to one of the largest Tamil populations outside Tamil Eelam.
More Than Just a Monument – A Historical Testament
While May 18 has already been recognized by the Province of Ontario as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, the construction of this monument by Canada’s largest city gives tangible, public recognition to the mass atrocities committed against Tamils during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s civil war in May 2009. It sends a strong message: the truth will not be silenced.
Tamil Diaspora – Leading the Resistance to Genocide Denial
For over a decade, the Tamil diaspora, particularly in Canada, has been at the forefront of resistance against the denial and erasure of the genocide. Through activism, legal efforts, public memorials, and education, they have challenged dominant narratives and forced international attention back onto the crimes of Mullivaikkal.
This resolution is not merely a municipal achievement. It is a landmark moment born from well-organized, persistent, and politically astute engagement by a diaspora that refuses to let its history be buried.
What Comes Next?
This monument is not made of stone alone; it is built on the voices of thousands who were silenced. It must now serve as a pillar to pursue:
International investigations into war crimes,
Legal actions through international courts,
Diplomatic engagement with UN bodies and democratic governments.
Tamil diaspora organizations must now intensify their efforts in global legal and diplomatic arenas, using the Toronto monument as a foundation.
Conclusion:
The decision to build a Tamil genocide memorial in Toronto is not just a response to history – it is a bold act of defiance against Sri Lanka’s continuing denial and the global silence that enables it. It marks a turning point in reclaiming Tamil identity, memory, and justice.
This is not just a victory. It is the next stage of the Tamil people’s long and unyielding fight for truth and recognition.
– Eelaththu Nilavan.
24/05/2025
