^{Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne l Photo Credits: Sri Lanka Mirror}

In a statement, Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne called for the international recognition of the “ongoing” genocide of Tamils and the recognition of Eelam as a state. 

“A systematic referendum is needed to recognize Tamil Eelam internationally,” Dr. Karunaratne stated. 

“The Western world has propagated the name of terrorism to suppress the Tamil voice calling for a separate state,” he added. 

“When the port city is handed over to China and Trincomalee to India and the United States, the Tamil people should be given their rightful state of Tamil Eelam," said Dr. Karunaratne.

"Now that China is there, the diaspora must legitimize its struggle to regain its legitimate territory, forcing them to acknowledge the genocide of Tamils” Dr. Karunaratne concluded.

The Colombo Port City (CPC) is a large-scale urban development project constructed and operated by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The project will be the largest single foreign direct investment of around US$1.5 billion.

In May, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), slammed the Colombo Port City bill noting the hypocrisy of Sri Lanka denying Tamils a right to self-determination on the grounds of “sovereignty” but permitting the Chinese-led Port City project.

Read more here: 'You chose to destroy, you chose to commit genocide' - TNPF leader slams Colombo Port City project