The Tamil Refugee Council (TRC) was honoured to attend a round table discussion convened by Senator David Shoebridge to address the urgent issue of enforced disappearances. Representing Eelam Tamils, TRC outlined the ongoing genocide and the systemic role of the Sri Lankan state in committing and covering up mass disappearances.
At the discussion, TRC spokesperson, Renuga Inpakumar and NSW Co-Ordinator Kalyani Inpakumar made clear that internal mechanisms within Sri Lanka will never deliver truth or justice. Instead, only an independent international investigation can address the crimes of enforced disappearances, which place Sri Lanka as the country with the second highest number of enforced disappearances in the world.
A video was played introducing Mrs Leeladevi Ananandarajah who is the President of the mothers and fathers of enforced disappearances in Killonichi. She highlighted the situation in Tamil Eelam and clearly expressed that we are a nation of evidence and that the international community must take seriousness of the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka.
TRC also tabled a formal brief documenting the scale and gravity of these crimes, linking them to the broader project of genocide against the Tamil people. The brief highlighted that enforced disappearances remain a weapon of state terror, with Tamil families still searching for loved ones more than a decade after the 2009 massacres.
During the program, TRC engaged in dialogue with other groups who shared similar testimonies from their own countries. These exchanges deepened the global call for accountability, justice, and solidarity among communities facing state violence.
Alongside the round table, TRC also met with a number of parliamentarians and their representatives, pressing the case for Australia’s responsibility in responding to genocide and in guaranteeing permanent protection for refugees. A special brief was prepared for these meetings, linking the situation in Tamil Eelam to Australia’s refugee policies.

Meetings included:

• Senator Darmanin (met representative in the office, Grace), Deputy Government Whip in the Senate; Chair of Economics Legislation Committee; Chair of Selection of Bills Committee; Deputy Chair of Economics References Committee
  This meeting included discussing the potential meetings that can take place with the Labour Party and the Eelam Tamil community. Spokesperson Renuga Inpakumar explained the mass enforced disappearances and the mass graves being uncovered in Tamil Eelam. She explained the various infant bodies being found and this being a clear violation of international human rights standards and fitting the genocidal intent by the Sri Lankan state. The meeting also recognised with Grace exploring the need for permanent residency and a clear need to ensure that refugees can be given a proper outcome within Australia.
• Policy advisor , on behalf of Senator David Pocock
  The meeting focused on the link between refugees and genocide. It explored the need to address the false accusations that Sri Lanka is a safe place for Eelam Tamils and the acknowledgement of genocide.
• Cassandra Fernando MP (represented by policy advisor)
  The meeting drew attention to Cassandra’s connection to the Eelam Tamils and her advocacy around the need for permanent residency for refugees. Tamil Refugee Council spokesperson also addressed the need of acknowledgement of ongoing genocide and a clear direction for the Labour Party to take in regards to their diplomacy with the Sri Lankan state.
• Senator Fatima Payman met with her policy advisor, Jeff Waters
  Tamil Refugee Council had a terrific meeting with Jeff Waters who was very sympathetic for Eelam Tamils. He explained the need for the mass graves to be released in international media. There was an acknowledgment for work to be continued within the parliament to address the genocidal actions by the Sri Lankan state towards Eelam Tamils.
• Senator Mehreen Faruqi
  It was very fruitful meeting and the need to address the enforced disappearances is vital to maintain global justice. Senator Mehreen Faruqi is wanting to focus on enforced disappearances as well as the actions the Sri Lankan state has done to maintain genocidal intent on children.
  These meetings reaffirmed TRC’s call: justice for Eelam Tamils, accountability for the Sri Lankan state, and permanent protection for all refugees in Australia.