Toronto – May 30, 2025 — In a move that has sparked diplomatic backlash, Toronto City Council has unanimously approved plans to construct a second “Tamil Genocide” memorial in Canada, further intensifying tensions between Canada and Sri Lanka.
The new monument will be built in Scarborough, following the unveiling of a similar memorial in Brampton earlier this month. The resolution to establish the new site was passed on May 22 and was spearheaded by Scarborough Southwest Councillor Parthi Kandavel, with support from Councillor Josh Matlow of Toronto–Saint Paul.
According to the Tamil Guardian, the memorial will be located in a Toronto public park and will fall under the city’s Public Art and Monuments Policy. The decision aims to honor and preserve the memory of Tamil victims allegedly killed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war.
Adding to the momentum, a bill is currently before the Ontario provincial legislature seeking to declare May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and to designate the preceding week as Tamil Genocide Education Week.
The City of Brampton had earlier unveiled its Tamil Genocide Memorial on May 10 at Chinguacousy Park, drawing thousands in attendance and wide media attention.
However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who denounced the project as “based on false genocide allegations.” Taking to social media, he condemned Canada’s support for the memorials, calling them deeply offensive and politically motivated.
The move underscores Canada’s growing Tamil diaspora influence in municipal and provincial politics, while also deepening a diplomatic rift with Colombo over war crimes accountability and historical narrative.
