The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson.

¶ 02 Today is the 71st birth anniversary of Leader Prabhakaran, who is seen by many as the national leader of Eelam Tamils and a leader among world Tamils. The JVP, now with prominence in Government, once ideologically supported the framework that enabled the destruction of the Tamil liberation struggle. Yet today, they enter the North and East by paying homage to fallen cadres and liberation leaders, because without acknowledging that history they cannot enter those regions. This shows how far anti-Tamil-nationalist ideologies have failed there. The present Fisheries Minister is notable—he personally attended Thiyaga Theepam Thileepan’s commemoration.

¶ 03 On fisheries: the North and East constitute large parts of Sri Lanka’s maritime zone. For over 30 years of war (save for some brief periods), much of that sea was effectively off-limits to local fishers. Even after 2009, what has been done in 16 years to revive fisheries in the North and East? Very little.

¶ 04 They claim Mayiliddy Harbour was developed; yes, some work happened. But local fishers in the North and East are small-scale and cannot even dream of multi-day boats. Even after developing Mayiliddy, locals have been marginalized. The harbour remains largely unusable for them; unused Indian “rollers” are piled up there, preventing local use—this situation has persisted for a year. Meanwhile, development facilitates southern outside fishers, whose economic strength far exceeds that of local northern and eastern fishers, to compete in these waters. One year into this Government, nothing has been done to change that.

¶ 05 Development should first uplift local communities. Only after locals benefit and advance should others be accommodated. The Minister must ensure this principle.

¶ 06 On Indian bottom trawling: the Minister claimed significant progress, but in truth, there has been none. There is no real diplomacy here. You must press India decisively because those truly affected are our fishers, particularly Tamils—two-thirds of the island’s maritime area is in the North and East. A people already set back by 30–35 years of war cannot continue to suffer. Do not hide behind “diplomacy” that perpetuates distance between India and Tamils. If the Government will not act, say so; we will engage directly.

¶ 07 Regarding sea cucumber ranching/leases in the North and East: the former Minister was mired in corruption, allocating plots to cronies and bribe-payers with no connection to fisheries, harming traditional fishers. One year on, no change. Even if this business is allowed, locals must get first preference.

¶ 08 On the digital economy: the North and East have a strong diaspora heavily invested in IT, building links with Tamil youth over the past decade. Some tax incentives existed earlier but have since been removed by this Government. The University of Jaffna produces large numbers of IT graduates. Jaffna offers lower operating costs than Colombo, less congestion, and available land—ideal for IT companies, startups and tech parks, with global diaspora support and a strategic location close to South India for cross-border partnerships, talent exchanges, and BPO/KPO targeting Indian and global markets.

¶ 09 Post-war rebuilding in the North and East presents a chance to plan development with tech at its core. But this requires a holistic approach for a war-affected area that has not been fully rebuilt. If accepted, this could be an exemplary model for the country. I urge the Fisheries Minister and the Digital Economy Minister to consider these proposals. Many in Jaffna and the Northern Province are ready to work with you. If you accept a holistic approach, you will have our fullest cooperation. Thank you.