July is a time for Sri Lankans to reflect on the tragic anti-Tamil violence carried out in July 1983, known as Black July in our community. Twenty-nine years later, we mark this sombre anniversary and remind ourselves how important it is to educate all Canadians, but especially Canadian Tamil youth, of the suffering faced by hundreds of thousands of people from the island of Sri Lanka throughout Black July. As we remember the atrocities committed in 1983, as well as the brutality of the 30 year civil war, we must also look forward to what we can do to ensure a better future for those living on the island of Sri Lanka. Canada must play its part in working to end the culture of impunity. We all must work together to build a sustainable process based on respect, dignity and justice for all of the victims of this horrific war.

http://rathikasitsabaiesan.ndp.ca/post/statement-by-ndp-mp-rathika-sitsabaiesan-on-black-july