The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan
Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a point of order challenging objections to federalism and stating that Tamil Arasu Katchi’s policy supports federal power-sharing, which he described as a recognized model comparable to systems in Switzerland, the United States and India. He urged the Government to explain federalism to the public, reciprocate respect in debate, and not subsume Tamil rights under development arguments. He also questioned opposition to an international inquiry into wartime allegations, arguing that if no crimes or injustices were committed there should be willingness to establish the truth.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Madam, I rise to a point of order. Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, I emphasized at the outset that before Vijaya’s arrival there were two national peoples— Sinhalese and Tamils— who have traditionally lived on this land.
¶ 02 Why fear “federalism”? Learn first what federal systems are in Switzerland, the USA, and India— in essence, a union of states. When we speak, we listen respectfully to you; please reciprocate. Tell the people about federalism. Our Tamil Arasu Katchi policy, as in our constitution, is for federal power-sharing, duly recognized. Why fear it? Why fear an international inquiry? If you committed no crimes, no injustices, no genocide, no war on Tamils, then be ready for an international inquiry; let the truth be known. Only the guilty need fear. Do not seek to suppress Tamil rights under the blanket of “development.”
Provenance
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- Hansard, Friday, 22 August 2025 ·No. 1756894696039492 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 22 August 2025. No. 1756894696039492. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/22357