The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 [2.38 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to record condolences on the demise of the late former MP T. Kanagasabai.

¶ 03 In Sri Lankan history, Tamils have repeatedly given clear mandates: in 1977 they voted for the Vaddukoddai Resolution; in 2004 they recognized the LTTE as the sole Tamil representatives through the TNA; after the war in 2009, the global Tamil community elected a Transnational Government. Yet successive Sinhala governments have not given an appropriate response. Even today, amid economic crisis, rupee depreciation and high inflation, this is the time to unite communities and find a just, dignified, sustainable political solution—something for which Mr. Kanagasabai worked.

¶ 04 Eminent Members such as Prof. Tissa Vitarana, S.C. Muthukumarana, Chandradhasa Galappaththi, Nandana Gunathilaka, and Janaka Mahendra Adhikari served in this House. If all join with goodwill, a solution can still be reached. In the name of the late Mr. Kanagasabai and the others we commemorate, I urge Sinhala leaders, intellectuals and business leaders to seize this moment to resolve the national question. I again extend condolences to Mr. Kanagasabai’s family and children.