Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Canada's Sri Lankan diaspora, including both Sinhalese Canadians and Tamil Canadians, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sri Lanka's President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and his progressive party, the National People's Power, on their historic majority in the parliamentary elections. This victory represents a mandate to implement the promised economic and constitutional reforms, including addressing long-standing demands, such as returning state-acquired lands in the north to their rightful owners.
The Sinhalese in the south, the Tamils in Jaffna in the north and all ethnic minorities, including Muslims and Malaiyaha Tamils, have expressed new-found trust in the government. I urge Canada to seize this opportunity to reset its approach, shifting away from influence of diaspora groups and a divisive agenda and focusing instead on fostering respectful and strengthened bilateral relations.