The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as a citizen of Sri Lanka who celebrated our 78th Independence Day yesterday, and particularly as a woman representing the Hill Country, I am very happy to speak in this House today.

¶ 02 Although independence was obtained in 1948, the Citizenship Act brought in 1949 deprived the Hill Country people of their citizenship. Nearly 78 years ago, at the very time of independence, the Hill Country community had their citizenship and franchise taken away. Today, I am speaking here as someone from that community whose educational and other rights were later denied. I am pleased to be aligned with the National People’s Power Government formed in 2024. It would not be an exaggeration to say that true freedom for the Hill Country people was gained during our period of governance. As a reflection of true freedom, for the first time, women representatives from the Hill Country have had the opportunity to sit in Parliament. This is true freedom, and our Government has delivered it. The Government has, within one year and three months in office, resolved many issues of the Hill Country community who faced the loss of citizenship and numerous struggles in the past.

¶ 03 The Hill Country community had long been treated as a subservient community, used as a vote bank by politicians who ruled and did politics by that. Today, those people have the opportunity, through their own representatives, to fulfill their needs, secure their rights, and to live as dignified citizens of this country like the majority and other communities in Sri Lanka. That is why, on the 78th Independence Day, the Hill Country community can be seen as a community that has truly gained freedom.

¶ 04 For so many years they kept asking for land rights, housing rights, salary increases—these have all been provided within this one year and three months. Even if not fully, the Hill Country community has been integrated into the national mainstream, receiving the same entitlements enjoyed by others. We acknowledge some shortcomings remain. However, a community that had been neglected for 78 years in education, politics and political representation has, in the past one and a half years, moved remarkably forward. One could ask if this is enough. We have four more years. The victories achieved in this first year are significant. We are continuing efforts to provide a dignified life for the Hill Country people, and we will deliver that soon.

¶ 05 On our development programmes for the community, especially road development must be mentioned. Two months ago, we started an e-library in my constituency, and also a mini-government service centre. Through such initiatives, we aim to provide vocational training to our youth and impart education to our children. Whether in development, education, or vocational training, this Government is working to bring the Hill Country community forward in every aspect.

¶ 06 Especially, I say this was a year in which, as a Government, we gave special attention to the people of the Hill Country. This was also the second Independence celebration since 2024 for this Government. If we say, “After 78 years, this Independence celebration is the true Independence Day of the Hill Country people,” that is correct. Their development programmes, including road development, have been implemented. As I said, to uplift the lives of these children, we have laid the foundation and started an e-library and will provide them vocational training through centres in their localities.