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US Lawmaker Deborah Ross wants USG to acknowledge Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka
Tamil United Political Action Committee of the United States on May 18, 2022, apart from meeting US State Department officials in Washington, D.C. to promote and canvass support for a referendum in the Tamil-majority districts in the North and East of Sri Lanka, had a zoom discussion-meeting with U.S. Democratic Congresswoman Deborah Ross to reiterate that Tamil genocide occurred in Sri Lanka, and mark the end of the Eelam War 13 years ago, US based sources said.
The participants of the zoom gathering – some based in the United States and others from Sri Lanka – notably Parliamentarians C.V. Vigneswaran and Sivagnanam Sritharan – attended the gathering to reiterate the occurrence of a Tamil genocide. U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross at the zoom meeting acknowledged the occurrence of genocide in Sri Lanka against the Tamils urging the Government of the United States to acknowledge that Tamil genocide took place in Sri Lanka.
The organizers – Tamil United Political Action Committee – stated that their mission was to get justice to the victims and survivors of genocide in the Tamil Homeland through international investigation and bring the United States on board for a referendum in the Tamil Homeland in the North-East of Sri Lanka to determine their independence and sovereignty democratically and peacefully. The convener declared this was the right time for the U.S. to intervene for the Tamils in Sri Lanka to form an interim government in the north-east of Sri Lanka through a permanent solution through a referendum.
To this stated effort, United States Congresswoman Deborah Ross joined the Tamil United Political Action Committee’s call to acknowledge that a Tamil genocide occurred in Sri Lanka.
Here’s full submission of US Lawmaker Ross’ statement at this zoom forum to which the readers could listen using the following link:
https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/us-should-follow-canada-s-footsteps-tamil-genocide-recognition-congresswoman-deborah-ross
“Today is an important day as the Canadian parliament recognized Tamil genocide. And it is important that the international community including the United States follow suit.
I am honoured to join so many friends and supporters. And I sincerely appreciate many outstanding contributions that the North Carolina Tamil community had made to our state and our nation.
As you know, thirteen years ago, tens and thousands of Tamils perished in the hands of the Sri Lankan security forces a wave of violence perpetrated in Sri Lanka.
Every war is tragic but this was bloodshed on a horrific scale. Heinous brutality inflicted on innocent men and women. Today we mourn all those for the loss and re-dedicate ourselves for the cause of securing a just and acquit able future for the Tamil people.
The current Sri Lankan administration has turned a blind eye of the past abuses. I am currently working with the State Department and the Congress with both parties to shine a bright light on the plight of the Tamil minority. Last year I introduced a bi-partisan Resolution on regarding the lives lost in the civil war and expressing support for key reforms in Sri Lanka to ensure a lasting political solution.
I am also happy that we had an important hearing on human rights abuses perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government. Again, that was done in a bi-partisan way. Now more than ever we need strong American leadership to rally the international community to promote peace, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka. And again, we are thrilled that the Canadian Government has taken the lead.
Hope our government will take steps to bring justice to the Tamil people.
Deborah Ross was one of the key US Congressperson who sponsored the Resolution 418 to the House on May 18, 2021, the anniversary of the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, which claimed the LTTE a ‘Tamil independence organization” and recognized the northeastern region as the ‘Tamil Homeland’.
The Resolution further noted “urges the international community to advocate for and protect the political rights and representation of the historically oppressed northeastern region of Sri Lanka.”
A source based in Washington however pointed out that it was quite apparent that neither the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka nor its representation in Washington has educated U.S. Lawmakers and Policymakers that a majority of Tamils – approximately over 50 percent – are living among the Sinhalese away from the north-eastern region having gainful employment with ensured upward social mobility which negates the genocide claim.
The same source also asked how this Jewish Congresswoman conveniently turns a blind eye to the continuing acts of genocide being committed against Palestinians in occupied territories day and night, willfully gunning down innocent journalists, civilians as well those resisting the illegal occupation by people of her race running an apartheid regime in Israel.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
