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May 19th, 2012

Statement by the Leader of the Official Opposition on the 3rd anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan civil war

On May 19th we commemorate the third anniversary of the end of the armed conflict of the Sri Lankan civil war.

From 1983-2009 the country was ravaged, resulting in an estimated 80,000–100,000 deaths and countless thousands displaced, both internally and abroad.

The anniversary of the end of the civil war is a time to look ahead at the journey to reconcile and establish peace on the island of Sri Lanka. Today, we tackle the challenges of peace building and ensuring a quality of life for all citizens.

Justice is an essential step in reconciliation. New Democrats support the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s panel of experts on accountability in Sri Lanka for “genuine investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed by both sides involved in the armed conflict.”

The NDP will continue to stand with those affected by this civil war in Sri Lanka and their demands for transparency, accountability, and justice in hope of a better future for generations to come.