As the Sri Lankan government celebrates its independence day today, Tamils around the world will be mourning the loss of innocent lives due to the escalation of hostilities against Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
Instead of the mesmerizing displays of firework that usually mark such national holidays, Tamil children will be hearing the haunting sounds of artillery fire and shelling around them.
Despite the large Tamil Diaspora community in almost every Western nation, most of the world is ambivalent towards the 25-year-old armed conflict. It is not that they don't care, but rather little is really known about this conflict.
International media has long been barred from entering the conflict zone and without the watchful eyes of the media, the Sri Lankan conflict has in large part stayed a forgotten war.
However, over the past few weeks there has been growing international attention. Perhaps it is because an astounding 300,000 Tamil civilians are now entrapped within a 300 square km conflict zone without access to humanitarian aid. Or maybe because the Sri Lankan government has been carpet bombing declared "safety zones" killing hundreds of civilians in the process.
These clear violations of the Geneva Convention have drawn criticism from international non-governmental organizations, the United Nations, and local Canadian politicians. Yet these condemnations have failed to phase the Sri Lankan government's pursuit of a military option to "wipe out" the Tamil Tigers. The Sri Lankan government has stated categorically it will not consider a ceasefire.
LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION
Political analysts have called this the "end game" for the Sri Lankan conflict. However for the quarter-million Tamils on the brink of starvation this is not a game at all but rather a life or death situation.
There is no doubt the Sri Lankan conflict has reached a pivotal phase. International attention to this conflict is growing and on the cusp of building momentum for action that could drastically impact how this conflict does end.
Many members of the Tamil Diaspora, including myself, are feeling helpless as we watch the tragedy in Sri Lanka unfold, wondering what we can do.
From coast to coast Tamil Canadians have rallied together in unity in unprecedented numbers to create awareness of the plights of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Tamil Canadians are looking toward our Canadian government to take a stance on the Sri Lankan conflict.
Canada has the ability to play a leading role to help realize a resolution to the conflict that takes into account the aspirations of the Tamil people. Canada played a leadership role in brining an end to apartheid in South Africa and bringing attention to the genocide in Rwanda.
It's time for Canada to step up to the plate on the Sri Lanka conflict and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
By HARINI SIVALINGAMSivalingam is a lawyer in the Tamil community