Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday met with Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon to convey the Government’s opposition to the passing of a private members bill by the Ontario Legislative Assembly, the Ministry said yesterday.
The Minister conveyed the Government’s deep concerns on the passing of Private Member Bill 104 on ‘Tamil Genocide Education Week’ by the Ontario Legislative Assembly on 6 May, the Ministry said in a statement.
The Minister explained that the Ontario Legislative Assembly makes a finding that ‘genocide’ has taken place in Sri Lanka, contradicting the official position of the Government of Canada which had confirmed that the Government of Canada has not made a finding that there was a genocide in Sri Lanka.
He sought immediate intervention of the Canadian Government to stop Royal Assent by the Governor of Ontario to the said Bill.
Joining the meeting, Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage elaborated on the potential harm the Bill 104 could cause to the reconciliation process, peace building and the bilateral relations at large.
The Foreign Minister, while thanking the Canadian Government for the continuous support extended to Sri Lanka on multiple fronts, also discussed a wide range of bilateral issues with the High Commissioner.
(FT)