The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Today’s debate on the Adjournment Motion is very important. Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is here, and we think this debate will be a good one. The Adjournment Motion brought by Hon. Sumanthiran today is most welcome. It clearly highlights the changes that have occurred in Sri Lanka.

¶ 02 On human rights violations, especially regarding the problems faced by Tamil people in the North and East, their very existence has been put into question. The Tamil national question is not new; it has continued over time. The existence of Tamil people is in question because their rights are denied, their lands are taken, pressure is exerted on their culture, and discrimination continues.

¶ 03 To give a small example: according to the 1981 Census, Jaffna District had 830,000 people. If that had continued, today there should be 1.6 to 1.8 million. But today there are only about 620,000. Seat allocation has dropped from 11 to 6, and could reduce further. Politically, our presence is questioned. The main reasons are emigration, and during the final war at Mullivaikkal thousands were killed and many disappeared, including enforced disappearances. We lost thousands — intellectuals, students, youth. Day by day youth are leaving the Northern Province, especially Jaffna, and this will further reduce Jaffna’s population. Once Jaffna led in education; for the last 10 years the North is around 9th. It has been over 15 years since the war ended; have the wounds healed? No. That is why Hon. Sumanthiran has brought this Motion.

¶ 04 If this continues, Jaffna risks becoming a region without people. How do we protect against that? We have proposed accelerated development in the North. Several projects are underway. Three major industrial zones are being initiated in Kankesanthurai, Paranthan and Mankulam. In Kankesanthurai, Palaly airport is being expanded; the KKS railway and harbour services will be expanded, and the Mayiliddi harbour is being developed. When these are implemented, the region will become industrial, creating conditions for youth and students to feel they can live and invest here. Our Government is working to create that mindset.

¶ 05 Only if the existence of Tamil people is protected — only if Tamils continue to live in the North, especially Jaffna — can we tomorrow decide whether we struggle for self-determination, a separate state, or to protect our human rights. For that, our youth and children must remain. We need to foster the mindset that they can live in Sri Lanka. That is our first challenge.

¶ 06 We also see a change among the diaspora. A friend who has lived in Switzerland for 23 years told me this time he entered the country peacefully without fear and is considering living or investing here.

¶ 07 It is true, 10 months have passed since we assumed office. We have not forgotten the promises we made to the Tamil people. We will implement them. Chief among them is to release their lands and deliver justice to the disappeared. On the Thayiddi Viharaya issue, unlike some say — including Hon. Gajendrakumar — we will take steps to resolve it amicably, and within a month or two bring it to a close.

¶ 08 On so-called political prisoners, our Minister of Justice, Hon. Harsha Nanayakkara, will clarify today. We will undertake development to uplift livelihoods. On land issues, we are taking steps to release lands. We have reopened and handed over for use the Palaly airport after about 37 years and are providing infrastructure. From 1st next month, a passport office will be opened in Jaffna, so people need not come to Colombo.

¶ 09 Some said Mayiliddi harbour development will not happen. The foundation stone will be laid on the 1st of next month with Rs. 280 million allocated. We will also begin constructing the Kurikattuwan bridge.

¶ 10 In 1981, those who burned 97,000 books at the Jaffna Library — have they spoken with empathy? Regardless, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is acting to address this history. Palaly will be developed into a modern international airport. Through such steps, people can move freely; only then will human rights be protected.

¶ 11 We will not allow oppression to be unleashed again on our youth — not by the State or otherwise. If isolated wrong incidents occur, we will prevent them and work to ensure a peaceful, just life and a just country for our people. Thank you.