To:
The Honorable Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India
South Block, Raisina Hill
New Delhi – 110011
India
Subject: U.S. Tamil Diaspora Requests Your Support for Tamil Rights and Justice During Your Sri Lanka Visit
Dear Prime Minister Modi,
Vanakkam.
As members of the U.S. Tamil Diaspora, we write to you ahead of your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka with deep hope and heartfelt urgency. We respectfully appeal to you, as the leader of the world’s largest democracy and a representative of a fellow Tamil-speaking civilization, to use your influence during this important visit to support the long-denied rights and aspirations of the Tamil people in the North-East of Sri Lanka.
For decades, Tamils have suffered war, displacement, injustice, and systemic discrimination. Your visit presents a rare opportunity to not only engage with the Sri Lankan government but to also demonstrate moral leadership by standing with Tamil civilians who still yearn for justice, freedom, and dignity.
We ask you, Prime Minister, to champion the following seven demands that Tamils across the world view as essential to peace and reconciliation:
1. End Militarization of Tamil Areas
We request your help in urging the Sri Lankan government to withdraw its military and intelligence presence from Tamil-majority regions. Sixteen years after the war ended, these areas remain heavily militarized, undermining civilian life and economic recovery.
2. Support a Referendum for Tamil Self-Determination
We ask that you support—or at least not oppose—a UN-supervised referendum that allows Tamils in the North-East to freely express their political future, in accordance with international law and democratic principles.
3. Back International Justice for War Crimes
We appeal for India’s support in pushing for international investigations and accountability for the atrocities committed during and after the civil war, particularly the mass killings in the final stages of the conflict.
4. Ensure Free Tamil Diaspora Investment
Thousands of diaspora Tamils are ready to invest in rebuilding the North-East, but face unnecessary military and intelligence restrictions. We ask you to advocate for lifting these barriers so that development can occur transparently and securely.
5. Link India’s Aid to Political Autonomy
While we welcome India’s infrastructure and humanitarian aid, we urge you to ensure that it is tied to meaningful political autonomy for Tamils—self-rule, not just roads and buildings.
6. Protect Tamil Language and Culture
We seek your voice in defending Tamil language rights and cultural heritage from ongoing Sinhalisation efforts and demographic manipulation. Your support can ensure the preservation of Tamil identity in its historic homeland.
7. Show Symbolic Solidarity with Tamil Victims
We invite you to publicly honor Tamil war victims—perhaps by visiting a Tamil war memorial or meeting with Tamil war widows. Such a gesture would deeply resonate with Tamils everywhere and send a message of compassion and justice.
This is not a time for silence. It is a time to act with conscience and courage.
We ask you, Prime Minister Modi, to stand not only as a statesman but as a moral voice for the voiceless. Your support on these issues could bring healing to millions, and show that India values truth, justice, and the democratic will of all peoples.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We pray that your visit becomes a turning point for the Tamil people and a milestone for regional peace.
Respectfully,
Editorial Board
U.S. Tamil Diaspora News
news@tamildiasporanews.com
www.tamildiasporanews.com
