Wigneswaran seeks sister cities in Canada

Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, now on a visit to Canada, was at the centre of a controversy.

He wanted to sign a “sister city” agreement between Vavuniya and the City of Brampton in Ontario. However, the members of the Brampton Council were opposed to the move and alleged that it was only the Mayor who had consented to it.

According to The Brampton Guardian, a local Canada daily, the councillors debated a request that would link Brampton and Vavuniya via a ‘friendship relationship agreement at the Economic Development Committee meeting on December 7, but no decision was taken.

“The agreement would strengthen existing economic and cultural ties while encouraging commerce and the exchange of goods and services between Brampton, the Greater Toronto Area and Vavuniya,” a media release from the Brampton Mayor's office said.

Apart from this, on the same day, the Chief Minister was also scheduled to sign another "Friendship Agreement" between the city of Markham, Ontario and Mullaitivu, the former war torn area in the North.

Addressing the media in Ontario, Chief Minister Wigneswaran said these agreements are not for any economic assistance or regional co- operation but “to coordinate the Tamil identity globally.” The city of Markham is home for 30,000 Tamils of Sri Lankan origin while the Brampton's Tamil community numbers around 20,000.

Back home, the NPC broke the record of passing resolutions. At least 321 resolutions in 81 Council sittings have been approved since it began work in 2013.