The Tamil community in Ottawa gathered on May 18th to commemorate Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in an event jointly organised by the Ottawa Tamil Association, National Capital Region Tamil Association, Ottawa Tamil Academy of Culture and Technology, Ottawa Tamil Seniors Association, and Tamil Genocide Memorial.

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake will now attend Sri Lanka’s 16th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony as the chief guest, the government confirmed on Sunday, following backlash over earlier reports that he would not participate in the state-sponsored event.

Tamils held events across the UK on May 18 to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. 

London 

Thousands of Tamils gathered at Parliament Square to remember the victims of the Tamil genocide.

In April 2009, thousands of British Tamils occupied the same square as Sri Lanka intensified its military offensive which led to the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils in Mullivaikkal.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and politicians across the country have issued statements to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, commemorating the tens of thousands of Tamils massacred by the Sri Lankan state in May 2009 and renewing calls for accountability, truth and justice.

Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney published the following statement this morning:

Hundreds of students at the University of Jaffna gathered solemnly in front of the Mullivaikkal memorial on campus this week to commemorate Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, marking 16 years since the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan military during the final stages of the armed conflict.

Several thousands of Tamils have gathered in Mullivaikkal today to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. 

Mullivaikkal was the site of the final massacres which saw the deaths of tens of thousands of Tamils who were trapped in the Sri Lankan government designated 'No Fire Zones'. 

British Members of Parliament and political leaders have issued statements marking Mullivaikkal Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, paying tribute to the tens of thousands of Tamils killed in May 2009 and renewing calls for justice, accountability, and peace.

In a message this morning, Uma Kumaran MP, the first British Member of Parliament of Eelam Tamil heritage, stated:

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake will not be attending Sri Lanka’s 16th ‘War Heroes’ commemoration ceremony on May 19, which takes place the day after Tamils commemorate the anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide.