People’s Movement for Referendum
We are calling for a Referendum so people can decide what they want.
Referendums have been used for several decades to solve internal political and ethnic conflicts around the world. It’s been extensively used for the last 33 years since the Cold War ended between the US and Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Countries on every continent in the world have used
referendums to solve their internal conflicts peacefully and democratically. Even in Canada, Quebec conducted a Referendum.
The purpose of a referendum is to directly get our people’s mandate on their preferred political option. We want everyone to be able to choose their destiny. Let the people decide. The Tamil community is demanding a referendum as a means of achieving a permanent political
solution, following the unilateral abrogation by the government of several agreements between Sri Lankan leaders and Tamil leaders, as well as failed international mediations by Norway and India.
The Northern Provincial Council and the Batticaloa Municipal Council in the East unanimously supported the call for a referendum. Various segments of the Tamil community, including Tamil Parliamentarians, Tamil local government bodies, and Tamil University students, have also jointly
issued letters urging the UN and other international organizations and countries to conduct a referendum. If referendums can be organised for other nations around the world, there is no reason why an internationally supervised referendum cannot be the political way forward for the long-oppressed
Eelam Tamils.
In an international Tamil conference in Penang, the idea of a referendum was proposed for Eelam Tamils. This proposal came to be termed the Penang Declaration of 2015. Subsequently, in several Tamil conferences in various global locations, the idea of a referendum
was raised to resolve the Tamil National Question. More than 13 years have passed since the atrocious genocide against Tamils, and the international
world has done nothing substantial to ensure the political, social, and economic liberation of the Elam
Tamils.
A Referendum for the Tamils provides a way out of the present predicament of inaction of the
international community on the resolution of the Tamil national question.
Date: May 18th, 2023
Location: New SpiceLand Supermarket – 6065 Steeles E, Toronto.
The People’s Movement for Referendum was inaugurated on May 18, 2023, at the New SpiceLand Supermarket situated at 6065 Steeles E, Toronto. This significant event coincided with Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, underscoring the symbolic importance of May 18 in commemorating our collective journey for remedial justice and independence, achievable only through an internationally monitored referendum.
Among the distinguished guests present at the inauguration ceremony were MPP Logan Kannapathy, School Board Trustee Neethan Shan, and Markham City Councillor Juanita Nathan. Their participation marked the commencement of this historic movement, emphasizing the shared commitment to its profound objectives.
Date: June 3rd, 2023
Location: Arulmiku Sri Aathiparasakthi Hindu Temple – 3021 Markham Rd Unit 45, 46 and 47, Scarborough, Toronto.
The mock referendum took place during the annual Thair event at Arulmiku Sir Aathiparasakthi Hindu Temple. Numerous individuals expressed curiosity about the mock referendum and enthusiastically participated, eager to gain insights and education about this movement.
Date: June 4th, 2023
Location: Eera Supermarket- 5930 Finch Ave E, Scarborough, Toronto.
Eera Supermarket, located in Scarborough, is a shopping destination frequented by many Tamils. This provides a valuable opportunity for the movement to disseminate information and engage with individuals about the importance of an internationally monitored referendum for Tamil Eelam. It underscores the significance of this approach as the sole solution for independence and a way forward.
Date: June 10, 2023
Location: Milliken District Park, 5555 Steeles Ave E, Toronto
Tamil Seniors Association and Vembatti School Association
A mock referendum took place at Milliken District Park, coinciding with the annual summer gatherings of both the Tamil Seniors Association and Vembatti School Association. This provided a great opportunity to discuss the movement and address any questions the seniors had. They were genuinely thrilled with the initiative, considering it a fantastic way to actively engage the community and educate them about the importance of these mock referendums.
Date: July 15th, 2023
Location: Ottawa Sivan Temple – 2104 Roger Stevens Dr, North Gower, Ottawa
A mock referendum was conducted at Ottawa Sivan Temple’s Thair event, marking the first instance of the movement connecting with the Ottawa Tamil Community. A sizable crowd gathered from various locations across Ontario, including Cornwall, Montreal, and Quebec. Numerous youths actively participated in facilitating the mock referendum at the temple and expressed their willingness to volunteer for organizing additional mock referendums in Ottawa.
Date: July 28th, 2023
Location: Scarborough Event Center – 5637 Finch Ave E Unit 1, Scarborough, Toronto
Event: Book Launch “Memorial Day” by Ilamaran (C.Kulam)
A mock referendum was conducted at a book launch for “Memorial Day” by Illamaran (C. Kulam), which highlighted the early life of Honourable Vellupillai Prabaharan. Youth from Toronto played a crucial role in organizing this event, turning it into a day of education and awareness.
Date: November 26th, 2023
Location: Metropolitan Centre- 3840 Finch Ave E, Toronto
Event: Honourable Vellupillai Prabaharan’s 69th Birthday
A day to celebrate the Honourable Vellupillai Prabaharan, the national leader of Tamil Eelam. It was a perfect event to conduct this mock referendum and gauge everyone’s opinions on the main thing our leader fought for—our country, an Independent Tamil Eelam. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate, and volunteer youths took charge of the event, passing out flyers and educating the public about the movement.
Date: December 10th, 2023
Location: Scarborough Convention Center- 20 Torham Pl, Scarborough
Event: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam Annual Award Ceremony
The Transnational Government’s Annual Awards Ceremony celebrated and honored outstanding individuals within the Eelam Tamil Community. The event drew numerous dignitaries, Members of Parliament, including the Mayor of Brampton, Hon. Patrick Brown, and the Mayor of Toronto, Hon. Olivia Chow. City councillors, MPPs, activists, and members of the public filled the auditorium hall.
The focal point of the evening was an internationally monitored referendum for Tamil Eelam, reflecting the primary agenda of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam.
2024
Date: January 6th, 2024
Location: Queen Palace Banquet Hall- 1173 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, Toronto
Event: Tamil Heritage Month Opening Ceremony
In Ontario, January is designated as Tamil Heritage Month, an initiative spearheaded by City Councillor Neethan Shan and subsequently approved by the province. The 15th-year celebration, organized by the Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action under Neethan Shan’s leadership, brought together various dignitaries and Canadian politicians. The event kicked off with the hoisting of the Tamil Eelam national flag, marking the commencement of the festivities. Additionally, many Tamil politicians actively participated in a mock referendum, symbolizing the beginning of both Tamil Heritage Month and the year 2024.