MP Shritharan hands over documents to Canadian foreign affairs officials

25-Oct-2026

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A delegation led by Sivagnanam Shritharan, Member of Parliament for the Jaffna–Kilinochchi District representing the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, held an important meeting with senior officials of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa, the Canadian capital.

The meeting, held on October 23, was attended by Weldon E., Assistant Deputy Minister for the Indo-Pacific region at Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Deirdre Yukich, Deputy Director for Sri Lanka Relations, and senior official Ariel Sobhani.

The delegation provided a detailed account of the continuing human rights violations faced by Tamil people in Sri Lanka, the issue of enforced disappearances, land occupation and the failure to deliver justice.

Referring to the recovery of 583 sets of human remains from the Chemmani mass grave to date, MP Shritharan stressed the need for independent forensic investigations with the participation of international experts.

He also called for immediate measures to return 171 acres of ancestral land under military occupation in Kepapilavu, Mullaitivu, and 2,117 acres of land in Valikamam North, Jaffna, to their rightful owners.

MP Shritharan also brought to the attention of senior Canadian foreign affairs officials the land dispute in Thayiddy, the denial of Tamil people's right to commemorate their dead, and the removal of the memorial statue of Thiyagi Theepan Thileepan in Nallur.

Pointing out that Tamil people remain unable to resettle on their ancestral lands despite the passage of many years since the end of the war, and that questions of justice and accountability remain unresolved, the delegation led by MP Shritharan urged Canada to continue its diplomatic engagement through international human rights mechanisms.

During the meeting, MP Shritharan handed over detailed documentation to Canadian officials concerning the Chemmani mass grave and the release of lands in Kepapilavu and Valikamam North.