Marking Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, US Democratic Senator Wiley Nickel expressed his solidarity with the Tamil people and highlighted their "right to self-determination, to peacefully and democratically determine their own political future"

The North Carolina Senator added

"Today, Tamils in Sri Lanka and around the world are commemorating Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Tamils must be given justice and the right to self-determination, to peacefully and democratically determine their own political future."

British Tamil businesses distributed kanji across London on Tamil Genocide Day, to honour the victims and survivors of the Mullivaikkal genocide that took place 13 years ago. 

Kanji - a porridge of rice and water - was the only food available to Tamils trapped in the Sri Lankan government declared 'No Fire Zones' as food, medicines and other necessities were heavily restricted from entering the Vanni during the final phase of the armed conflict.

Sri Lanka’s embattled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa lashed out at “various local, foreign groups and individuals” earlier today, as he accused them of “trying to use the economic and political crisis as a pretext to influence national security”.

The head of the Sri Lankan army said he recalled with “great pride” his role in the military offensive of 2009, in which he oversaw a unit accused of executions and committed atrocities that have barred him from entry to the USA.

Shavendra Silva, who stands accused of committing genocide, released a statement to mark ‘Victory Day’ this morning.

Marking the 13^th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Swiss Tamils gathered in Waisenhausplatz , Bern, Switzerland to commemorate the thousands of lives taken during Sri Lanka’s brutal military assault.

An estimated 200-300 Tamils gathered to remember the attrocities.

Today we join with the Tamil and all communities across Sri Lanka, the UK and across the world commemorating those who lost their lives in Sri Lanka’s armed conflict. The British government will continue to press for truth, accountability & justice for victims and their families pic.twitter.com/81ScCyxYDK

Canadian politicians have called for justice and accountability for Tamil genocide committed by Sri Lanka at the end of the armed conflict. 

In a statement, Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, said:

"Over the years, I have met with the Tamil community, and others affected by the war in Sri Lanka and their experiences remind us of the ongoing need to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.

The Indian Supreme Court used special powers to release A.G.Perarivalan, who was convicted for procuring the batteries that were used in the bomb that blew up former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. 

The apex court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution which grants it powers for “doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it” to release Perarivalan who has spent more than 30 years in jail. He was 19 years old when he was arrested in 1991. 

On Tamil Genocide remembrance day (18^th of May 2022), the International Truth and Justice Project issued a press release expressing solidarity with the Tamil people campaigning for justice. 

A small commemorative event was held at the anti-government Sri Lankan protest site in Colombo earlier today.