The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, from colonial times to today, Tamil national characteristics have been eroded in many ways. We continue to struggle for national existence and a lasting political solution. Before 2009 we faced overt military domination; after the war, covert domination through bureaucratic methods continues — land grabs, demographic engineering, and imposition of Sinhala-Buddhist symbols even by defying court orders.

¶ 02 Under the guise of “development”, private lands, temple courtyards, and swathes of Tamil homeland have been acquired and Sinhalese settled, undermining Tamil demographic majorities. Post-war, heavy military presence remains; thousands of acres of Tamil land are still under military control. In Mullaitivu alone, about 500,000 acres of people’s lands were taken and remain unreleased — Government figures are in my hand. The disproportionate military concentration in the North and East undermines reconciliation. People suffer, unable to live on their own lands. The Government must immediately return lands and reduce the excessive troop presence.

¶ 03 The North and East are the Tamil homeland — historically inhabited by Tamils. We have long pursued federal power-sharing for the merged North-East. When will the 13th Amendment be fully implemented? When will police and land powers be devolved to Provincial Councils?

¶ 04 Developmentally, the North and East remain lagging — Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi are among the most deprived: too few schools, no adequate hospitals or fire services, no university campuses, highest poverty, minimal tourism. Even a decade and a half after the war, disparities persist. Establish an Economic Development Authority to redress these imbalances and increase allocations until parity is reached.

¶ 05 Lastly, I must respond to Hon. Thilaganathan. He said no one asks him for Tamil Eelam or federalism. People will not ask him; they ask the Government. We, however, stand for Tamil Eelam — today we seek federalism. Do not weave fanciful stories to mislead. Thank you.