Tamil groups ask Ottawa to bring Sri Lanka officials to International Criminal Court

By The Canadian Press on January 30, 2023.

OTTAWA – Tamil diaspora groups are praising Ottawa’s sanctions on Sri Lanka officials, while asking Canada to bring that country to international tribunals.

Ottawa sanctioned four high-ranking officials earlier this month for alleged human-rights breaches during Sri Lanka’s bloody, 26-year civil war with Tamil separatists.

The asset and travel ban included Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his older brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who are both former presidents.

The Sri Lanka government summoned Canada’s envoy over the move, accusing Ottawa of caving to Tamil diaspora politics.

But Tamil groups say Ottawa has set an example for other countries, and they are asking the Liberals to start a process to bring senior officials to the International Criminal Court.

The U.S. has previously sanctioned senior Sri Lanka officials, but Human Rights Watch says Canada is the only country to list the Rajapaksa brothers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2023.

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