The Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Isabelle Martin, met with representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in the East on Saturday (May 2), in talks that focused on the challenges facing the Tamil people.
The meeting was held at the office of ITAK Member of Parliament Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran and brought together parliamentarians representing the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, alongside local government officials including divisional council chairpersons.
Discussions centred on a range of pressing issues, including livelihoods, access to education, employment opportunities and ongoing human rights concerns, as well as the broader state of democratic governance in the region.
High Commissioner Martin sought updates on prevailing socio-economic conditions, particularly the challenges confronting local communities in the East. She noted the concerns raised and indicated that she would follow up on the matters discussed.
Among those present were ITAK parliamentarians Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, Gnanamuthu Sirinesan and Dr Elayathamby Srinath, along with several local council representatives.