Markham Signs Friendship Agreement with Mullaitivu, Northern Province, Sri Lanka

On January 14, 2017, the City of Markham signed an agreement of friendship with Mullaitivu, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It was Mullaitivu’s first friendship agreement with a Canadian municipality, and a historical milestone for both cities.

Markham City Council passed a motion on November 30, 2016, to sign this historic agreement.

The Honourable Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, and City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti formally signed the agreement in Council Chambers at the Markham Civic Centre at a celebration that drew hundreds of members of the community.

Prior to the signing, the City of Markham's Culture & Economic Development Department hosted a business networking event. Approximately 50 to 75 Tamil Canadian business leaders shared information on how to do business in both Markham and in Mullaitivu, Northern Province, Sri Lanka.

The friendship agreement ceremony was part of the 6th annual Thai Pongal celebrations in Markham. Thai Pongal is a global Tamil celebration of the harvest and the new moon (New Year). This year's Thai Pongal celebration was organized by the Centre for Tamil Heritage & Culture and the City of Markham, with partial funding provided by the Celebrate Markham grant program.

In 2012, Markham became the first Canadian municipality to officially recognize this cultural celebration by proclaiming January 13, 14 and 15 as Tamil Heritage Days/Tamil New Year/Thai Pongal.

On October 5, 2016, the Canadian Parliament voted unanimously to designate January as Tamil Heritage Month to recognize the contributions that Tamil-Canadians have made to Canadian society, the richness of Tamil language and culture, and the importance of educating and reflecting upon Tamil heritage for future generations by declaring January, every year, Tamil Heritage Month.

Mullaitivu is located in northeast Sri Lanka, and has a population of approximately 92,000.

QUOTES

“Markham is the most diverse municipality in Canada, and our Tamil community has made invaluable contributions to our city’s growth and prosperity,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We have strong economic and cultural connections with the Tamil community across Canada and South Asia. This agreement signals Markham’s continued commitment to the Tamil community and the pursuit of economic and cultural development for both Markham and Mullaitivu.”
“There are more than 30,000 residents of Tamil heritage in Markham,” said Ward 7 Councillor Logan Kanapathi, the first Tamil-Canadian to be elected to a municipal council in North America. “For many years, Tamils have been an integral part of every aspect of the Markham community, from owning businesses to volunteering on boards to organizing cultural and charity events,” adding that he’s “proud to have played a role in introducing an agreement that strengthens the City’s ties with the Tamil community and helps to build an even stronger Markham.”

PHOTO

Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the Honourable Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, are joined by Members of Council, the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, and members of the Chief Minister’s delegation to celebrate the signing of the friendship agreement between Markham and Mullaitivu.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti: mayorscarpitti@markham.ca or 905.475.4872

Media inquiries/ interview requests: Corporate Communications, media@markham.ca or 905.477.7000 x7548

About Markham: Markham, a municipality with 350,000 residents centrally located in the Greater Toronto area, is home to over 400 corporate head offices and more than 1,100 high tech and life science companies. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community, enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards