Canberra Tamils hold remembrance event for Black July 1983 victims

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 August 2006, 00:10 GMT]
Canberra Tamil diaspora, Saturday commemorated the thousands of Tamils who lost their lives and property in the Sri Lankan state sponsored July 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom, by holding a vigil at the Uniting Church auditorium in Canberra, the Australian capital city. The vigil began with the Australian National anthem followed by a one minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the massacre and the thousands of Tamil men, women, and children who lost their lives in the Sri Lankan war on the traditional Tamil homelands in the north and east.

The gathering was addressed by the Australian Senator Kate Lundy, and Dr Deb Foskey, legislative assembly member of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Australian Senate member, Senator Kate Lundy speaking at the vigil told the audience that she will bring to the attention of the Australian parliamentarians the need for Peace for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Australian Capital Territory’s legislative assembly member, Dr. Deb Foskey addressing the gathering stated that Tamil people must be allowed to own their traditional homeland and be allowed to live their freely. Australia must listen to the concerns of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, she added.

Dr Raga Ragavan, the Canberra representative of the Australasian Federation of Tamil Association (AFTA), presiding at the vigil spoke on the state sponsored July 1983 anti-Tamil riots and the long devastating Sri Lankan war on the northeast Tamil homeland.

Two Hindu priests and Rev. Ravi Lawrence and Rev. Richard Browning offered prayers for peace with justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

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