CANADA

Parliament creates day to remember Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka

OTTAWA — Canada's Parliament has created a day to recognize the genocide of Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Parliament unanimously adopted the motion to make May 18 of each year Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.

Liberal MP Gary Anandasangaree put forward the motion on Wednesday.

Anandasangaree, the MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, says in a statement that Canada became the first national Parliament in the world to create such a day.

He says the passed motion is the result of years of work by the Tamil community, survivors and their loved ones.

Anandasangaree says he knows much work lies ahead to make sure those responsible for the "atrocities" are held to account.

He says, "I hope this will give some solace to those who are impacted and traumatized by the genocide."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2022.

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press