The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I thank Hon. Sumanthiran for bringing this Motion focusing on the basic issues of Tamils in the North and East and the Hill Country Tamils. I do not fault the Motion, but I wish to point out a few matters.

¶ 02 The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) is a Federal Party since 1949. Yet this Motion does not explicitly assert federalism as the solution to the Tamil national question. Recently, ITAK leadership appears to be moving away from this stance. I do not blame Hon. Sumanthiran personally, but it is surprising that federalism and international accountability are omitted. ITAK’s mandate at the last election was for a federal solution and international accountability.

¶ 03 The Government says it will hold impartial investigations. But for over 70 years, the State itself nurtured racism. Even if this Government intends differently, why is the PTA still used? Just last week, a journalist, Kumanan, was summoned and questioned for seven hours; a youth was killed by the military. Even if unintended, such incidents occur. This Government will not be in power forever; if future governments revert to racism, how are Tamils protected? Should Tamils keep voting for one party forever? Or should there be a constitutional-political solution guaranteeing that, regardless of who comes to power, racism and the PTA will not be used against Tamils?

¶ 04 Our national identity has been systematically targeted for over 70 years. Recognize us as a people indigenous to this island; recognize our homeland and our right to manage our own affairs there. What is wrong in sharing power, recognizing difference? True unity accepts differences. For 76 years, under the banner “Sri Lankans,” the State has effectively been Sinhala-Buddhist hegemonic. You cannot change that in a year or even in five; and one day you will leave office. Hence we seek constitutional recognition. Is that racism? No. The South has already rejected the old politics, which is why you are in office. Do not lose this moment. Even if you do not adopt federalism as policy, at least acknowledge publicly that federalism is not secession, and allow a genuine debate. Only then will trust begin. Otherwise, it will be very difficult. I conclude.