British Tamils mark Genocide Prevention Day with calls to boycott Sri Lanka

British Tamils across London marked the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime on Wednesday with a campaign across London calling for the boycott of Sri Lankan goods and services.       

Campaigners took to the streets outside major retail stores across London as they called for shoppers to boycott stores that stock products made in Sri Lanka.

“The fact that the Sri Lankan state has committed massacres and atrocities for decades is well established,” said Sanjay a youth activist who had joined the campaign. “The British public must be aware that their hard earned cash may ultimately contribute towards Sri Lanka’s defence budget and the ongoing genocide of Tamils.”

The activists campaigned outside stores such as Marks & Spencer, which has had long running links with Sri Lanka, as they conversed with shoppers during the bust Christmas retails period. Leaflets were handed out with information on which products to boycott and ethical alternatives, whilst other activists from the Tamil Co-ordinating Committee (TCC UK) held posters and placards.

One poster displayed the front page of The Times from May 2009, which had a headline “The hidden massacre – 20,000 civilians were killed in Sri Lanka’s final assault on Tamil Tigers”. Underneath was Sri Lanka’s latest tourism board slogan – ‘So Sri Lanka’.

“We’ve had a great response from the public,” said Meera. “Lots of people have commented on how they will check products more carefully to see where they are sourced from and expressed support for the Tamil cause.”

The campaign was chosen to be held on the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, to highlight how there must be more done to aid the victims of genocide, added another campaigner.