The Hon. K. Ilankumar

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity. Since Independence, human rights violations have continued. Why do they occur? To seize and retain power, rights have been violated through machinations. In 1981 under a UNP Government, the Jaffna Public Library was burned to influence the DDC elections in the North. This country’s history includes killings of youth and civilians to retain power.

¶ 02 In 1982, instead of holding Parliamentary Elections, J. R. Jayewardene held a Referendum to extend Parliament by six years. Then JVP Leader Rohana Wijeweera said, “That lamp is to burn democracy; douse it with the water in the pot!” If elections had been held, 6–7 JVP Members would have entered Parliament. By postponing the election, democratic rights were violated. When people challenged fraud in court, before judgments, the 1983 pogrom was unleashed in Colombo by the then Government. Thereafter, rights’ violations continued.

¶ 03 Two policemen were killed in Vavunativu; it was blamed on former LTTE cadres, but later proved to be by Zahran’s group. During the unconstitutional period when Mahinda Rajapaksa was made “temporary” Prime Minister, misuse of the State machinery contributed to many ills. Had the State apparatus functioned properly, the Easter attacks would not have occurred. Now our Government allows institutions to act independently.

¶ 04 Tamils suffered in many ways: for example, the 1987 Jaffna Hospital massacre — we once trusted and garlanded the Indian Army, yet 18 Government officers and over 60 staff and patients were killed there. During elections, a businessman’s son was killed in Jaffna–Chavakachcheri over a Rs. 10 million bribe — abuses to retain power.

¶ 05 Our Government has been in office nearly a year, working to entrench democratic rights. We are issuing land titles in the North — an essential right — in the Tamil language this time. We wish to unite all and move forward. Yet some play political games: calling hartals; spreading fear that bombs would explode in Nallur, etc. Hon. Shritharan said he was stopped in India based on false information given by Sumanthiran — such defeated politicians now weave plots to topple this Government, while people like Kumanan are being investigated under the PTA. These missteps create openings for errors. Thank you.