Brampton mayor vows to build Tamil monument to honour lives lost in SL civil war

24 January 2021 09:08 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton, Canada has promised to build a monument to commemorate the lives lost in the Sri Lankan civil war after the Mullivaikkal memorial was torn down at Jaffna university, CBC News reported today.

The destruction of the Mullivaikkal memorial at the University of Jaffna two weeks ago a monument that was erected in 2019 to honour the lives of Tamil civilians who died in the war led to public outrage from many Tamil diasporas across the world. In response, CBC said Brown took it upon himself and his city to do good by the community.

On Wednesday, Brampton City Council unanimously voted to build their own memorial to commemorate the Tamil lives lost in the war. “While there might be some people trying to ‘whitewash’ history in Sri Lanka and rewrite history we can’t stand for that,” Brown said.

“Where they tear down a statue and they tear down history in Sri Lanka that we would do the opposite in Canada. That we would build a monument to remember the victims, to remember the genocide,” he said.

With January marking Tamil Heritage Month in Canada and the Greater Toronto Area being home to one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world, Brown says this couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time, or a more appropriate place. Brampton Tamil Association president Benat Mariyanayagam says this was a significant step not only for Tamil people in Canada — but abroad.

Mariyanayagam said Jaffna University is a “cultural epicentre” for the Tamil community in its fight for freedom and its desire to honour the deaths from the war.

“What this shows is the Sri Lankan Government is trying to erase the memory of the innocent civilians lost in the war,” said Mariyanayagam. He says the monument will be locally funded by the Tamil community. “People of all walks not just Tamils, but people in Canada — Brampton in particular can look at this piece and remember their own past history, if they’ve been through a similar experience,” Mariyanayagam said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 10

Gayan Sunday, 24 January 2021 10:51 PM

Please give him some votes Diaspora. Who knows he might bring back Prabakaran.

Jude Monday, 25 January 2021 10:10 AM

Brown, Trying to win some brownie points with voters!!

Sam Miller Monday, 25 January 2021 12:11 PM

Why you all are looking at this angle, instead the demolition at the University leads Tamils to build a monument and remember victims globally forever.

Kirtiri Sen Monday, 25 January 2021 10:59 AM

While he is at it why not he designate a separate state for them as well, I mean, what the hell, Canada has so much space right? and surely the Canadian people wouldn't mind at all.

Jude Monday, 25 January 2021 11:05 AM

It's common knowledge that special interest groups such as GTF funded his political career!! And that's how he's successful in bringing in high number of members to the party, many of whom (90%) came from ethnic communities!!

roni Monday, 25 January 2021 11:05 AM

Who is this Mariayanayagam?. If he is so concerned what is he doing over there?. Wonder if this guy was born in Sri Lanka or elsewhere. and just wants to be heard.

xaber Monday, 25 January 2021 11:16 AM

Why don't you let them have their Eelam in Canada as well and leave us aside?

Sando Monday, 25 January 2021 11:24 AM

Shame......... People butchered by LTTE of all races. Remember them.

Malij Monday, 25 January 2021 12:12 PM

Disgusting. Selling even the dead to win votes. If he goes on like this, by erecting memorials for the people who lost their lives in conflicts all round the world, Canada would be a cemetery.

Mandayan Monday, 25 January 2021 04:23 PM

I said it and saying it again that the saying again that the government now is a liability to the nation and we will see more of this!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Brampton mayor vows to build Tamil monument to honour lives lost in SL civil war

Comments - 10

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Driving into Colombo’s money spinning car parks!

The runaway prophet?

Veil of uncertainty covering naked truth behind death of schoolgirl

Unwanted attention

Lurking predators make some temples unsafe for novice monks

Reforming abortion law in Sri Lanka

Discrepancies and doubts associated with WFP initiative

Most Viewed in News

Jackfruit seller hacks to death hotel owner in Mt. Lavinia over price dispute

Shanaka’s selection a ’strange one’, Manjrekar says after Gujarat’s loss to Super Kings

Did you attend Natasha’s comedy show? Police will quiz you

MP who smuggled gold leaves for Dubai

My men were waiting for Jerome in Negombo to hammer him - Mervin Silva

Lankan passenger from Australia dies on board

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Fuel Prices Revised

Citizens at war with failing health sector

Catholic Church condemns defamatory statements made on the Buddha

TV channel ratings biased, incorrect: Secretary

MIRROR CRICKET

Debuts for Hemantha and Pathirana on the cards as Sri Lanka build up to key World Cup qualifiers

Sri Lanka set to unleash IPL star Matheesha Pathirana ahead of World Cup qualifiers

South Africa ’A’ team arrive in Sri Lanka

Afghanistan star ruled out of opening ODIs of Sri Lanka series

Debuts for Hemantha and Pathirana on the cards as Sri Lanka build up to key World Cup qualifiers

Alonso eyes first win in decade at Barcelona blockbuster

United aim to rewrite history with FA Cup glory at City’s expense

Sri Lanka set to unleash IPL star Matheesha Pathirana ahead of World Cup qualifiers