The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, as the first Hill Country Tamil woman MP from Badulla, I am honoured to address this House. I thank the people who elected me not only with the support of my community but with the love and support of the entire country, and I thank the National People’s Power.

¶ 02 The NPP’s success nationwide is because people in each community could choose genuine representatives from their own communities—North, East, South and West; representatives for persons with disabilities; and, for the Hill Country, representatives who understand our people’s issues.

¶ 03 Our Hill Country Tamil community was brought from India as a labour force 201 years ago. For 75 years of national politics, stable solutions to our long-standing problems—land rights, housing, wages, health and education—were not delivered; only temporary fixes were offered for political gain. As a representative who knows these hardships, I will be a voice to create awareness and bring change. Even before coming to power, on 15 October 2023, through the “Hatton Declaration,” the NPP outlined clear solutions.

¶ 04 Our people’s land and housing issues persist due to rural and estate poverty—as the President noted in his Policy Statement. The solution is rural and estate poverty alleviation programmes. We are already working on ways to provide land titles and, for housing, not temporary schemes but titled housing.

¶ 05 Recognition is another issue: Hill Country Tamils must be recognized as Sri Lankans while retaining our identity. Historically, as “estate people,” many benefits and entitlements were denied. That must change. Our children must be integrated into the national mainstream and advance in education, health, sports and all sectors. In education, estate schools are neglected; we will upgrade nearby schools within a few kilometres into fully equipped schools. We have also set out solutions in our policy for housing, land and health.

¶ 06 Landslides have increased in Badulla over the past two years. Many affected families have yet to receive housing; since the NPP came to power, we have expedited programmes for their welfare.

¶ 07 Hill Country women contribute significantly to the economy but are in a painful, neglected state—without basic health and sanitation facilities at workplaces. Our national programmes will address these. Above all, we will ensure Hill Country Tamils join the national mainstream, with participation and rights long denied by 76 years of rulers and many estate politicians. As the NPP’s Hill Country representative, I pledge to secure those rights.

¶ 08 Whether Government or Opposition, we all must fulfill our responsibilities to rebuild a country that stands as an example to the world. As Members of this Tenth Parliament, let us set aside divisions and work together.

¶ 09 Thank you.