The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the time. Following the debate on my Private Member’s Motion, and the Minister’s reply, I note that there is now scope for constructive intervention. I said at the outset every government bears responsibility for today’s situation—decades of neglect have brought us to the point of bringing this to Parliament as a national issue. But we should not use this to excuse inaction now by blaming the past. With the Minister’s reply, I am hopeful we will see meaningful action.

¶ 02 Tamil MPs’ participation today showed this is not a new issue but a long-festering one that affects you most closely, as you constantly engage with the Tamil community. I was told that in Badulla, a Tamil MP now struggles to visit villages and must alight on the road to reach Parliament. The first step to resolve such tensions is to build the roads.

¶ 03 We cannot push this off as a 76-year curse. This is the will of Tamil people across the country. I asked former subject Minister Hon. Jeevan Thondaman similar questions in the last Parliament. This problem became so complex because it was not viewed correctly. Hon. Minister, I believe you will act. Many of your stated intentions remain to be done, but we trust you will proceed—for justice to thousands of Tamil people.

¶ 04 Do not compartmentalize this as only the responsibility of Tamil leaders. Every MP has a duty here. Numbers may be smaller in some districts, larger in Badulla or Nuwara Eliya, but all are affected. We had a frank exchange today. While recognizing the problems, recognition alone is not enough—please lead your team to implement.

¶ 05 I thank all Members across the aisle, Hon. B. Ariyawansa for seconding, and the Minister for a constructive reply. I also regret that an earlier motion of mine could not be taken up due to scheduling, and request an opportunity next time. Thank you.

¶ 06 Question put, and agreed to.