Premier McGuinty with Arariaratnam. (Pictures by Mahesh Abeyewardene)
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty singled out Kingsley Ariaratnam in his speech at the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) gala held at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Markham recently.
“I want to recognize the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award winner, Kingsley Ariaratnam. They tell me if someone wanted to write the history of Canadian Tamils his name would be front and centre. Kingsley, the fact is you helped found this organization, you have nurtured it and now see how much it has grown today,” said Premier McGunity.
Ariaratnam was the founder president of the chamber established in 1991. In Sri Lanka, his name was synonymous with Brighton Institute in Colombo where he was forced to abandon his work during civil disturbances in the early 80s. He relocated to Chennai before migrating to Canada.
McGunity walked to Ariaratnam’s table and congratulated him and his family. While posing for photographs the premier gestured towards Ariaratnam and said, “He is the star tonight.”
Former Presidents honour Kingsley Ariartnam for his Lifetime Achievement Award presented by CIBC. From Left: Gary Anandasangaree, Mike Ahilan, Kingsley Ariartnam, Mohan Sundaramohan, Kana Gnanchandran, Kula Sellathurai, Mano Thillainathan, Logan Velumailum, and Ken Kirupa.
