Diaspora Investments, Eelam Tamil Displacement, and Structural Genocide: Re-assessment of Canadian Tamil’s Engagement with Sri Lanka - Part 1

President Nila
Apr 28
5 min read

Abstract

This article examines the role of diaspora investments in Sri Lanka, particularly those from the Tamil diaspora in Canada, and how such financial engagements inadvertently support the systems of structural genocide in the Tamil-majority regions of Sri Lanka. It highlights the ongoing displacement of Eelam Tamils and the Sinhala-majority development policies that continue to threaten Tamil cultural and political autonomy. The article further explores the geopolitical considerations of Canada’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Sri Lanka's economic partnerships with China. It suggests that a more comprehensive and ethically grounded approach to foreign relations is necessary, prioritising human rights and long-term peace-building efforts.

1. Introduction

The displacement of Eelam Tamils from their traditional homeland in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka is not just the consequence of a civil conflict, but an ongoing process of structural genocide. Sinhala-majority policies, which claim to promote economic development, have been used to re-engineer the demographic and political makeup of Tamil-majority regions. This strategy, which involves the displacement of Tamils and the militarisation of their land, is framed as progress, but it represents an attempt to erase Tamil identity and undermine their sovereignty.

While the Tamil diaspora in Canada plays a significant role in the humanitarian efforts towards Sri Lanka, there is a pressing need to examine how diaspora investments might unintentionally perpetuate the cycle of displacement. These financial flows, if not strategically aligned with human rights conditions, risk supporting the very systems that enable the militarisation and demographic alteration of Tamil-majority areas in Sri Lanka.

2. Migration and the Business of Refugees

Canada's liberal immigration system has shaped the current landscape of migration, with refugee processing and settlement becoming an industry in itself. The system involves various actors, including immigration lawyers, resettlement agencies, and case workers, who benefit from the refugee experience. While many of these services are essential, there exists an ethical dilemma when the business of migration begins to commodify the refugee experience.

This phenomenon extends beyond Canada’s borders. The political dynamics of diaspora communities have, at times, been more centred around maintaining the status quo within their adopted countries rather than focusing on rooting out injustices faced by their communities abroad. This is especially significant in the context of Eelam Tamils, where a heavy reliance on foreign humanitarian support and diaspora-driven investment can unintentionally funnel resources into a system that perpetuates oppression in Sri Lanka.

3. Economic Development as a Tool for Structural Genocide

The current development policies in Sri Lanka are positioned as part of the island’s post-conflict recovery. However, these policies often act as instruments for ethnic homogenisation rather than genuine peace-building. Programs that encourage infrastructure development in Tamil-majority areas are paired with the resettlement of Sinhala populations, militarisation, and the suppression of Tamil political expression.

Such policies undermine the cultural and political autonomy of Tamils and strengthen the Sinhala-majority government’s grip on the Tamil-dominated regions. These strategies, which are justified under the guise of economic development, contribute to the systematic erasure of Tamil identity and sovereignty, reinforcing the historical injustices faced by the Tamil people.

4. The Role of Diaspora Investments

Diaspora investments, especially from the Tamil community, play an undeniable role in the economic landscape of Sri Lanka. However, these investments can inadvertently support the economic structures that perpetuate displacement and oppression. While these investments may be driven by a desire to foster economic recovery, they often lack the necessary political conditions to ensure they do not contribute to the further marginalisation of Tamil communities.

For example, investments in industries, infrastructure, or tourism projects in Tamil-majority areas may unwittingly align with government policies that displace Tamil populations, militarise local areas, and dilute the Tamil cultural presence. Without careful consideration of the political and human rights implications of these investments, they run the risk of becoming tools that sustain the system of genocide.

5. Canada’s Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Considerations

The geopolitical environment in Sri Lanka is evolving, especially with China’s increasing influence in the region. The development of strategic projects such as the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port City has positioned Sri Lanka as a key player in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These initiatives, while promoting economic development, also come with significant geopolitical consequences that affect Sri Lanka’s relationships with neighbouring countries, particularly India.

Given the growing Chinese presence in Sri Lanka, Canada’s engagement with the island nation requires a nuanced approach. Canada’s policies should aim to balance human rights advocacy with geopolitical realities, recognising that Sri Lanka’s alignment with China could complicate the broader security dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.

6. A Call for Ethical Engagement

For Canada to truly support the rights and aspirations of the Tamil people, it must move beyond economic and diplomatic engagements that inadvertently sustain the systems of oppression in Sri Lanka. Instead, Canada should focus on encouraging policies that:

Prioritise demilitarisation and political autonomy for Tamil-majority regions,
Ensure that economic investments are contingent on human rights commitments,
Support international efforts to hold Sri Lanka accountable for its actions during and after the civil war.

Such a shift in policy would not only support the Eelam Tamils’ quest for justice but also contribute to the broader goal of long-term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

7. Conclusion: Building a Future Based on Justice

To effectively address the structural genocide faced by Eelam Tamils, it is crucial that international actors, including Canada, re-evaluate their role in Sri Lanka. Diaspora investments must be critically assessed, ensuring they do not inadvertently support policies that continue to marginalise Tamil communities. Canada, along with other nations, must adopt a human-rights-based foreign policy that recognises the need for justice, accountability, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

By reframing engagement through the lens of human rights and ethical investment, Canada can play a crucial role in supporting the Tamil community’s rights without unintentionally contributing to their further oppression.

References

CBC News (2023), “Immigration Brokers Profiting from Tamil Refugee Claims.”
UNODC (2022), “Protocols on Human Trafficking and Money Laundering.”
BBC (2022), “China’s Growing Influence in Sri Lanka.”
UNHRC (2015–2021), “Reports on Accountability and War Crimes in Sri Lanka.”
Canadian Global Affairs Institute (2023), “Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and South Asia.”

Written by: Balananthini Balasubramaniam [Nila Bala] (@Small Drops)

Date: 26/04/2025

Time: 06:58

Location: United Kingdom

This work is protected under international copyright and intellectual property laws.

Reproduction or citation without explicit permission is prohibited.

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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