Canadian MP Calls for Referendum on Eelam State in Sri Lanka

Canadian MP Shaun Chen has submitted a controversial proposal to the Canadian Parliament, urging action on Tamil rights in Sri Lanka. The proposal includes two key demands: an international investigation into allegations of Tamil genocide and a referendum to establish an independent Tamil Eelam state in Sri Lanka.

The petition claims that the Sri Lankan government has systematically violated the Tamil community’s right to self-determination and accuses it of committing atrocities during the civil war. It also alleges that the “Tamil Eelam” concept was obliterated in May 2009 following what it describes as a “genocidal war.”

MP Chen called on the international community to unite against Sri Lanka, pressing for charges related to alleged Tamil genocide to be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). He argued that such steps are necessary to ensure justice for Tamil people and to address the grievances of the diaspora.

The petition echoes longstanding demands by sections of the Tamil diaspora for global recognition of alleged war crimes and human rights violations during Sri Lanka’s civil war. These calls have been met with varying responses from governments worldwide, with Canada historically maintaining a strong Tamil diaspora voice.

The proposal has reignited debate about Sri Lanka’s past conflicts and the role of international actors in addressing them. It has also drawn mixed reactions within Canada and abroad, with critics arguing that such actions could strain diplomatic relations and further polarize ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s government has consistently denied allegations of genocide, maintaining that the war was waged to defeat terrorism and ensure the country’s territorial integrity. The issue remains highly contentious both domestically and internationally, with implications for reconciliation efforts and global diplomatic relations.