The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC; French: Congrès Tamoul Canadien) is a Canadian non-profit organization that serves Tamil Canadians since October 2000 and has 11 chapters. The objectives of the Canadian Tamil Congress are: to promote the participation of Tamil Canadians in activities of local, regional, provincial and national importance; to uphold the Canadian values of human rights, multiculturalism, religious and cultural diversity, pluralism, and volunteerism; to champion for equal rights and in particular, gender equality; to support the cultural and political aspirations of Tamils. The organization also promotes the study and knowledge of Tamil language, culture and history within the Canadian context. The CTC also works on adjustment/settlement issues.
 | |
| Formation | October 2000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Purpose | Cultural |
| Headquarters | 10 Milner Business Court, Suite 513, Toronto, Ontario, M1B3C6 |
Official language | English, French, Tamil |
Main organ | Board of Directors |
| Website | http://www.canadiantamilcongress.ca/ |
Canada is home to a large Tamil Canadian community. Thousands of Tamils arrived in Canada during the 1980s and 1990s, particularly as a result of Black July ethnic riots which ravaged Sri Lanka.[1]
Controversies
editThe Canadian Tamil Congress has been accused by the government of Sri Lanka as a front organization for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).[2][3]
Ontario Superior Court of Justice's verdict against Gunaratna
editIn a February 2011 article in Lakbima News Rohan Gunaratna claimed that the Canadian Tamil Congress was a front for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[4] The CTC sued Gunaratna and on 21 January 2014 the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled against Gunaratna, ordering him to pay the CTC damages of $37,000 and costs of $16,000.[5][6] In his ruling judge Stephen E. Firestone stated that Gunaratna's claims were unequivocally and incontrovertibly "false and untrue".[7][8]
Walk-A-Thon 2011
editThe Sri Lankan government strongly criticised Amnesty International Canada for accepting a grant of Canadian $50,000 by CTC, which it raised at the 2011 Canadian Tamil Walk-A-Thon at Thomson Memorial Park, Scarborough.[9] Amnesty International Canada responded that "These donations in no way impair the independence of Amnesty International – which is nonpartisan and works on human rights issues around the globe. The contributions were offered with no conditions or qualifications."[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Black July 1983 that Created a Collective Trauma". Jayatunge, Ruwan M. LankaWeb. 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ "THE UNITED NATIONS ACT, No 45 OF 1968" (PDF). Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Why Sri Lanka is Severing Ties Between Tamils at Home and Abroad". Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^ "CTC Awarded $53,000 in Successful Defamation Lawsuit Against Rohan Gunaratna". Colombo Telegraph. 19 February 2014.
- ^ Westhead, Rick (20 February 2014). "Canadian Tamil Congress wins $53,000 libel judgment". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Video: Canadian court orders Prof.Gunaratna to pay damages". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Indo-Asian News Service. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ Vijayan, K. C. (27 February 2014). "Singapore terror expert must pay $60,000 for defamation". The Straits Times.
- ^ "CTC win defamation case against Sri Lankan 'terrorism expert'". Tamil Guardian. 19 February 2014.
- ^ "LTTE front funds Amnesty International". Sunday Observer. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ "Amnesty International and the Tamil community in Canada". Amnesty International Canada. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.