Krishna Saravanamuttu, a Tamil activist and spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Tamils, has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work with Canada’s student movement and as an advocate for justice for Eelam Tamils.

He was nominated for the award by Glen Murray, the minister in charge of universities.

Speaking to TamilNet, Glen Murray praised Krishna’s activism and hailed him as one of Canada’s emerging leaders.

“Krisna has provided outstanding leadership in Canada's student movement, in his advocacy with the United Nations for justice for Tamils around the world and his leadership in building youth organizations committed to social justice and human equality.”

“He is one of our countries emerging leaders and demonstrates the personal integrity that has earned him the trust of so many and allowed him to accomplish so much,” Glen Murray said.

Krishna has been working with several organisations in Canada, including the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Peace Alliance and the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War.

“While I am extremely honoured to be recognized for my contributions in Canada, as recipient of this medal, I would like to emphasise the need for the commonwealth countries, especially Britain given its colonial legacy in the island of Sri Lanka, to hold the Sri Lankan state accountable for its genocide of the Eezham Tamil people.

"I call upon Prime Minister Harper to keep his promise to boycott the next Commonwealth meeting scheduled in Sri Lanka until the country's human rights record improves.” Krishna told TamilNet.

For full report on TamilNet see here.