Canadian politicians condemn attempts at removing Jaffna University's Mullivaikkal memorial

 08 January 2021

Responding to the protests at Jaffna University, Candian MPs have condemned attempts to remove a Mullivaikkal memorial commemorating the lives lost during the Tamil liberation struggle.  

 

On Twitter, Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park,  Canada, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, has responded stating;

Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton condemned the attempt by the university administration, which was instructed by the Sri Lankan government, describing it as a form of "structural genocide".

 

Harkirat Singh, City Councillor for Brampton’s Wards 9 & 10, has also condemned the assault on the memorial stating:

 

Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation, has similarly condemned the destruction of the monument stating:

 

Gurratan Singh, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton East, condemned the destruction of the monument, highlighted the importance to show solidarity and called on other world leaders to come out and condemn the Sri Lankan states' actions:

 

Martin Medeiros, City Councillor for Brampton’s Wards 3 & 4 and the Peel region, likened the incident to another form of genocide:

Doly Begum, MPP Scarborough Southwest, criticised the attack stating:

 

Peaceful demonstrators, who had gathered in front of Jaffna university demanding to speak to the Vice-Chancellor, were met with a heavy police and STF presence.

Thus far, two students have been arrested.

The Vice-Chancellor has responded by disparaging the protesters and warning that if they did not leave, they would be "dealt with".