SCARBOROUGH, ON – A re-elected Conservative Government will expand the presence of Canada’s High Commission to Sri Lanka by opening a consulate in Jaffna, the Honourable Jason Kenney announced today.
“A re-elected Conservative Government will continue Canada’s strong commitment to peace and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans,” said Kenney. “Expanding our diplomatic reach to Jaffna will enable Canadian officials to bolster Canada’s deep commitment to Sri Lankan democracy and civil society in the difficult process ahead.”
The office in Jaffna would be a strategic platform in northern Sri Lanka from which diplomatic, development, trade and consular services would be extended. From this platform, the enhanced Canadian presence in Sri Lanka would better advance human rights, deliver effective development programming, deepen bilateral relations and strengthen regional security.
Canada’s High Commission in Colombo currently accesses Jaffna by road, but through a seven-hour commute.
“A re-elected Conservative Government will ensure that Canada continues to be a world leader in its strong support for peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” said Kenney. “We will ensure that Canada continues to be at the forefront in advocating for the expeditious return of Sri Lanka’s internally displaced people to their own land, for the rebuilding of their lives, and towards the prosperity of the nation and the stability of the region.”
In 2013, Prime Minister Harper held firm on the dubious record of the Rajapaksa regime by boycotting the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Recently, the Honourable Rob Nicholson announced that a re-elected Conservative government will call for and invest in international efforts that are essential in providing Sri Lankans confidence in the independence and impartiality of the difficult process that lies ahead. A re-elected Conservative government will also press for an independent international investigation, and continue to engage the international community to advance justice and facilitate reconciliation.
In addition, a re-elected Conservative government will press for the return of seized land, provide support to the internally displaced, sponsor rehabilitation and relief efforts for the victims of war including war widows, and ensure that vital assistance is delivered to the communities that need it the most.
Sri Lanka is at the nexus of powerful regional economic and security pressures. The prospects for long-term peace and security in the region rest with the important efforts towards a credible peace and reconciliation process for Sri Lankans. Only a re-elected Conservative government will have the strength and resolve to advance freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law for Sri Lanka.