The Hon. Palani Thigambaram

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, I first thank the people of Nuwara Eliya District for duly electing me to Parliament. I am pleased to join this debate on the President’s policy statement.

¶ 02 A major political change has occurred; we welcome it. Though we are in the Opposition, we will support people-oriented measures of this Government, while firmly opposing harmful actions.

¶ 03 Until now, politicians often used racism and religious bigotry to divide people and capture or topple governments. The current President has said there is no place for racism or religious extremism — a welcome stance. Our nation and society have lagged because rulers exploited communal divisions. Our expectation is equal rights for all.

¶ 04 Many in the North, East and the Hill Country voted for this Government. In his address, the President prioritized anti-corruption, poverty alleviation, national unity, an efficient public service, and economic development. We will fully cooperate with such programmes.

¶ 05 It is easy to criticize. You now have power; implement. However, we hear you intend to rely on the 13th Amendment to bring change without deeper reforms. We do not oppose what benefits the country, but we note your position.

¶ 06 Two ministers hail from the plantation background; I congratulate them. Previously, under the Good Governance (Yahapalana) Government, we began several initiatives for the Hill Country: a five-year Plantation Development Plan with Cabinet approval; a dedicated Hill Country Development Authority, then supported even by Hon. Vijitha Herath (now Minister). The last Government did not utilize it well. Please strengthen and restructure that Authority and drive development through it.

¶ 07 We also increased Local Authorities in Nuwara Eliya from five to ten, reforming the administrative structure — but facilities remain inadequate. Please complete buildings and amenities. During Good Governance, we initiated land reforms to grant title to estate people through the Re-purchase scheme. The line-room housing model failed; restart the single-house model. The Indian 10,000 housing project is still at initial stages; expedite it.

¶ 08 Disaster management indicates over 6,000 households in the district live in high-risk dwellings; take steps to address this. We will support the good you do. Some accuse us of betraying the Hill Country and failing on development; we did what we could. You have a two-thirds majority. Therefore, ensure land and housing rights and other development rights for those people. We will fully support you. Thank you.