The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first let me, on behalf of Eelam Tamils, congratulate our friend Vijay on his sweeping victory in Tamil Nadu. As a newcomer turning a mass movement into a political force, we wish TVK continued clarity and resolve; Eelam Tamils see your victory as positive and extend solidarity.

¶ 02 As for the Neelagama Estate incident in Kahawatte, a woman among others was brutally assaulted by hired thugs, including ex-military men. Governments and leaders change, but hill-country people still have no land of their own. The incident, exposed through social media, shows they are not permitted even a small hut. Without such platforms, thousands of problems could remain hidden.

¶ 03 We speak of human development globally, yet those who have sustained Sri Lanka’s economy for over 200 years are attacked for building a small home. We condemn this and expect this Government to secure justice, land, and housing for hill-country Tamils. While some progress was made over time through various efforts, much remains to be done, starting with residential land.

¶ 04 Next, several books by senior Kilinochchi author Thambi Theepachelvan have been detained by Sri Lanka Customs. While some of his works like “Terrorist” and “Cyanide” have been released, others—such as “I Wage War with the Pen” and “Even Now There Are Two Nations Here”—remain held. Why? Why curb freedom of writing? Works praising Gotabaya or justifying killings roam freely, but five sets amounting to 360 copies of Theepachelvan’s books remain detained. Does freedom of expression exist under this Government?

¶ 05 You blame past Governments, but this one follows the same pattern. The Theepachelvan episode proves it.

¶ 06 Please also note: Sri Lanka says it cannot remove the illegally built Kurunthoor Malai vihara from private Tamil land, and blocks land grants, while a worker at Neelagama Estate cannot build a hut to sleep in, and Theepachelvan’s books cannot be released. What democracy can you proclaim? Will you remain a Government of violent, intolerant gun-culture that disrespects other communities? Reflect, reform, and build reconciliation and inter-ethnic unity. That is my appeal.