The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) hosted its 13th annual Thai Pongal Dinner on January 18th, 2020 at the Hilton Suites in Markham. Despite a snowstorm that lasted for most of the day a large number of guests attended the event which as in previous years showcased the achievements of the Tamil community in Canada and across the world and highlighted CTC’s many accomplishments in 2019. The dinner was attended by several dignitaries including elected officials from all levels of Government. Hon. Mary Ng, Federal Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International, Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance from the Province of Ontario, Mayor Frank Scarpitti – City of Markham, Mayor Iain Lovatt – Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson – City of Toronto brought greetings. Guests also included senior members of various law enforcement agencies, academics, members of media, business and community leaders from various communities. The Leaders for Change Award was presented to Ms. Kanimozhi Mathi, a practicing Attorney at Law at the High Court of Madras, India for her successful legal intervention in protecting the Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu, an area of great archaeological significance for Tamils. Current excavations continue to provide clear evidence of the trading prowess of the Tamils thousands of years ago and the sophistication of their civilization. Her legal victory has guaranteed that the site will live as a testament to all Tamils world wide and instill in them a even more heightened appreciation of their origins.

This year’s “Service Excellence Award” was presented to Dr. Thangamuthu Sathiyamoorthy, Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for his immense and selfless contribution towards Health and Education in the war affected Northern Province of Sri Lanka. He has worked to support underprivileged Tamil youth in the Northern Province to access both secondary and post secondary education without being held back by their economic circumstances. Dr. Sathiyamoorthy in the finest traditions of altruistic medical practitioners, continued to provide medical care under very primitive conditions, during the last stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, without any thought of his own safety thereby saving a number of lives.

“Since uplifting the Tamil people in Sri Lanka is a core part of the CTC’s mandate, we will put higher emphasis on fostering economic development and progress in the Northern and Eastern provinces through the North and East Economic Development (NEED) Centre and other partnering organizations and supporters”, said Sivan Ilangko, President of CTC. The event also featured captivating dance performances by the students of Smt. Nirothini Pararajasingham’s Niro Dance Creations and Smt. Jenani Kumar’s Shilompoli Shethra Dance Academy.

One of the highlights for this year’s CTC Thai Pongal Dinner was the Walk for Women Empowerment. This CTC initiative aimed at empowering women, primarily widows in North East Sri Lanka who have been worst affected by the over 30 year civil war in that island. Hand woven sarees and sarongs produced by these women, were showcased in the Walk for Women Empowerment, by Canadian Tamils of all ages. Canadian Federal Minister for Small Business and International Trade, Minister Mary Ng wore one of these sarees to show her solidarity to the effort, supporting these deserving women in Sri Lanka. These sarees were also sold during the dinner and all the sarees were sold out by the end of the event.

Handicraft made in Jaffna, Sri Lanka was also displayed as a centre piece in the tables for this year’s Pongal Dinner as a support, encouragement and exposure for these products and producers in the war affected regions of Sri Lanka. In addition, youth members of the Centre for Leadership and Innovation (CFLI) which is again a successful initiative by the Canadian Tamil Congress to prepare our future leaders, made an outstanding presentation on the need to support women empowerment in war affected North East Sri Lanka. The CTC would like to thank all of the guests who braved the inclement weather and attended the event this year. We look forward to hosting you again at next year’s Annual Thai Pongal Dinner.

Former Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena has been appointed as the Chief Organiser for the Ambalangoda Electorate and District Leader by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US and to the UN Office in Geneva, Jayantha Dhanapala passed away at the age of 85, while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital. The Director of the Kandy National Hospital confirmed that the former diplomat had passed away after suffering a heart attack

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Vadivel Suresh who is on a collision course with the party is to decide on his political fate tomorrow after meeting a representative of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and also Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Mr. Suresh told the Daily Mirror he will be attending two meetings tomorrow, one with a representative of the President and the other with Mr. Premadasa.

Marcia V. J. Kran, Canadian lawyer and expert member of the UN Human Rights Committee, pressed Sri Lanka delegate Major General Kulatunga about his role in overseeing the Joseph Camp in Vavuniya, plagued with allegations of torture, and the Army Court’s denial of war crimes. Kulatunga served as Commander of the notorious Wanni Security Force Headquarters in Vavuniya, commonly referred to as the Joseph Camp, from 2016-2017. The camp has been marked by repeated accounts of torture and sexual violence throughout the armed conflict, with more recent accounts of torture dated as late as 2017.

Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera said every time an election approaches, the Government brings up an unnecessary issue and this time around it was the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This was at a time when the majority of citizens were going hungry. He said no politician in this country truly serves the country or the people.

The body of a female, suspected to be murdered was found at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago. Police said the body was found near the scoreboard at the Ground. The cinnamon garden Police has commenced the investigation. Police said the victim was aged 23 years and was a resident of Homagama.

Sri Lanka President and the finance Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe said military personnel will be given the opportunity to retire early after completing 18 years of service.

Sri Lanka is unikely to get an International Monetary Fund deal in December as originally expected with delays in dealing with China and India which are out of the Paris Club as well as ‘bilateral issues’, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. Sri Lanka has to get ‘creditor assurances’ on debt restructuring from bilateral lenders before the IMF’s executive board endorses a reform program formally.

All banks and the Colombo Stock Exchange will be closed next Monday (Oct 10). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (08) announced that the holiday has been declared in lieu of tomorrow’s public and bank holiday. Tomorrow has been declared a public, mercantile and bank holiday for Milad Un-Nabi celebrations as well as owing to the Vap Full Moon Poya.

There is no force behind appointing former premier Mahinda Rajapaksa again. The Rajapaksa tide has already died down, Kalutara district Samagi Jana Bala (SJB) MP Kumara Welgama said. He responded to a journalist's question about Mahindananda Aluthgamage's statement that a force is being formed to re-appoint MR as premier.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa says the Government has now declared several high-security zones as a new form of illegal repression against the people.

A boat and its 46 passengers arrive at the Grand Port Maritime in the city of Le Port, Ouest of the French island La Reunion, on 17 September 2022, before being taken in charge by local authorities and getting a health check.

Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, in his capacity of the president’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, has initiated discussions with the Saudi government last week seeking for a five year credit line of US $ 6 billion for the supply of fuel on a government to government basis, as a long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, Daily Mirror learns.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement on the appointing of a new Cabinet of Ministers will be broadcasted tonight. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President’s statement will be broadcasted at 07.30 pm on all television and radio channels.

Former minister Wimal Weerawansa has said that their independent group of MPs are ready for discussions only if the state ministerial portfolio given to MP Shantha Bandara is revoked. Speaking at a media briefing today (13), he said that a group including former Finance minister - Basil Rajapaksa is in an attempt to fish MPs in their group.

Estate, Housing and Community Infrastructure State Minister Jeevan Thondaman has stepped down from the post. The decision was taken following a meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the CWC team. The meeting was held yesterday.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera ruled out the possibility to call for a presidential election in terms of the Constitution, in the event of the current President stepping down . He was apparently responding to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asking for the declaration of a presidential election .

The thermal power plants of the Kelanitissa Power Station has come to a complete halt due to not receiving fuel for its electricity generation, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Additional General Manager and media spokesman Andrew Navamani said. He said the power station was shut down after 12.30 p.m today.

State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi will arrive in Sri Lanka on a two day official visit today and he will call on his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof.G L.Peiris, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his stay in Colombo. Chinese Embassy spokesman Luo Chong said the signing of an agreement promoting relations between the two nations will also take place on Sunday (9).

Human remains have been found washed ashore in Maruthamunai. The remains, mostly skeletal, were found washed ashore on the beach this morning. The Police said that it is still not clear if the body was that of an individual who was murdered or committed suicide. A Police cordon has been placed around the area where the human remains were found. Further investigations are underway.