By IANS,
Toronto : In their biggest gathering in Canada after the end of the ethnic war in Sri Lanka last year, thousands of Tamils held a memorial service for war victims at the Ontario provincial assembly here.
More than 12,000 people wearing black clothes and head bands marked the first anniversary of the annihilation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday with a pledge to work peacefully for their right to self-determination.
“This (the demand for self-determination) is there on the table all the time, and we will not stop till we achieve it,” said Canadian Tamil Congress spokesperson David Poopalapillai, one the 15 speakers at the gathering.
Blasting Colombo for ‘war crimes’ committed against Tamils by the Sri Lankan military, speaker after speaker demanded immediate international action against President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government.
Citing the report titled “War crimes in Sri Lanka” that was released by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group Monday, they said the international community has now no excuse to delay action against Rajapaksa for war crimes.
The speakers, including leaders from many labour bodies and the Canadian Federation of Students, wanted immediate sanctions on Colombo for its indictment by the international group.
“Despite its indictment, the Sri Lankan forces are still not letting Tamils in Jaffna to hold memorial services for their family people Tuesday. We got reports that the military warned our people against holding any prayers in temples on the first anniversary of the end of war crimes,” said Poopalapillai.
Unlike their demonstrations here last year to seek international pressure on Sri Lanka to stop the war, Tamils huddled together quietly to say prayers for the victims of the conflict.
With each one holding a candle, they held a night vigil in memory of the victims. Prayers were also held in temples and churches across Canada.
The 300,000-strong community is observing Tuesday and Wednesday as ‘Days of Remembrance’ for the victims.