The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to work with the Tamil leadership to “resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people”, in a statement released on the day he takes up office.

Noting Sirisena's victory “marks the end of a decade-long dynastic dictatorship of the Rajapakse family”, the CTC stated that Tamil people had “voted en masse” for change.

“After years of suffering inflicted by the current government and despite various acts of intimidation, thousands of voters took to the polls, symbolizing much needed hope for change,” read the CTC statement.

It went on to add,

"We ask the new President to work with the democratically elected Tamil leadership to resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil peoples, and to find a lasting solution where all citizens of the island are treated with respect and equality."

“In order to ensure that this change in leadership has any meaningful results for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka, CTC remains hopeful that restrictions on freedom of expression, free speech and the media is immediately removed.”

The statement concluded by saying,

“CTC will continue to work with the international community to ensure that this new beginning also entails obtaining long overdue justice for past violations of human rights.”

See the full text of the statement here.