40,000 Killed in Three Days – Fourth Anniversary
May 18th marks the fourth anniversary of the massacre of over 40,000 Tamils over the space of a few days on a narrow
strip of land in northern Sri Lanka. Kiwi Tamils are gathering in front of Parliament on May 16th from 12pm to 2pm to
highlight to New Zealanders that there continues to be no justice for those victims. A letter will be presented to MPs
at 1pm.
Kiwi Tamils are also highlighting to New Zealanders that genocide is happening in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Over the course of the past six decades the Sri Lankan state has been actively destroying the lives, culture, heritage
and livelihoods of Tamils in Sri Lanka. This continues into the present.
Kiwi Tamils also call upon the New Zealand government to recognize the genocide that is occurring in Sri Lanka.
Background. Tamils have made New Zealand home since the 1960s. You will find over one thousand Tamil families now living in all
parts of New Zealand, where they make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s overall culture and to the economy.
Tamils place a high value on education and their presence is likely to be seen across a range of professions, including
medicine, accountancy, engineering and IT. Many Tamils are also small business owners. Most Tamils in New Zealand have
extended families living in Sri Lanka and have been adversely affected by the decades old war. Today a thriving Kiwi
Tamil community is suggesting that New Zealand has an important part to play in bringing peace and justice to Tamils in
Sri Lanka, just as New Zealand played a role in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa.
ENDS