Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin met representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in the East over the weekend, with discussions focused on the challenges facing Tamil communities in Batticaloa and Ampara.
The meeting was held at the office of ITAK Member of Parliament Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, The Island reported on Tuesday, citing Tamil Guardian. It brought together parliamentarians from both districts and local government officials, including divisional council chairpersons.
Discussions centred on a range of issues including livelihoods, access to education, employment opportunities and ongoing human rights concerns, as well as the broader state of democratic governance in the region. High Commissioner Martin sought updates on prevailing socio-economic conditions, particularly the challenges confronting local communities in the East. She noted the concerns raised and indicated that she would follow up on the matters discussed.
Among those present were ITAK MPs Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, Gnanamuthu Sirinesan and Dr Elayathamby Srinath, alongside several local council representatives.
The visit comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement with Tamil political parties as the new National People’s Power administration grapples with long-standing post-war reconciliation issues. Canada hosts one of the largest overseas Tamil diasporas, and Ottawa has historically taken an active interest in Sri Lanka’s accountability and resettlement processes.
The meeting reflects continued international interest in Sri Lanka’s accountability processes. Tamil political prisoners held under the PTA and unresolved land disputes — including the long-running Keppapilavu military occupation of 171 acres in Mullaitivu — are among the issues Tamil MPs have raised with foreign envoys this week.
Source: The Island.
