NEWS RELEASES
CANADA CONDEMNS THE MURDER OF SRI LANKAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DR. NEELAN TIRUCHELVAM
July 31, 1999 (2:15 p.m. EDT) No. 175
CANADA CONDEMNS THE MURDER OF SRI LANKAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DR.
NEELAN TIRUCHELVAM
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today strongly
condemned the murder of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam on July 29, 1999.
Dr. Tiruchelvam was a leading figure in the search for a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka's long-standing ethnic
conflict, as well as a tireless advocate for human rights. He was a Member of Parliament, a Constitutional
Lawyer, Director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), and Director of the Law and Society
Trust.
"This crime has silenced the voice of a man who was committed to the path of peace, but it must not silence
those in Sri Lanka who have the courage to follow Dr. Tiruchelvam's lead," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada
expresses its sympathies and condolences to Dr. Tiruchelvam's family and colleagues, and we call on the
government of Sri Lanka to undertake a vigorous and rapid investigation of this crime and to bring those
responsible to justice."
Mr. Chan expressed his personal sadness on hearing the news. "During our meeting in Sri Lanka, in June
1995, Dr. Tiruchelvam and I discussed a wide array of societal and governmental problems that he was trying
to address through his work at the ICES. His contributions to civil society in Sri Lanka will be sorely missed."
Dr. Tiruchelvam's murder by a suicide bomber is seen as an attempt by extremist elements within Sri Lanka to
derail imminent constitutional reforms that Dr. Tiruchelvam was instrumental in drafting.
Canada has supported the ICES and the Law and Society Trust through the Human Rights Fund,
Peacebuilding Fund and Canada Fund. Other organizations working toward deepening the commitment to
human rights, good governance and conflict resolution have also received support.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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