The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, during the final phase of the war thousands of Tamil people were killed. Last week, Mullivaikkal Remembrance Week was observed. Sixteen years ago, thousands were massacred. I pay my respects to those killed. Governments have consistently refused justice for the genocide we allege. We do not believe this Government will deliver justice either.

¶ 02 Some accuse our party of saying genocide cannot be proven internationally and thus we deny it happened. That is false. The ITAK has consistently demanded justice internationally and domestically, and we will continue to do so. On the 18th, thousands gathered in Mullivaikkal on their own, across the North and East, with “Mullivaikkal kanji” served everywhere. These were not political shows; our people are resolute about justice for those killed. You cannot deny this.

¶ 03 Recently, when a memorial to our people was unveiled in Canada, I saw media reports that the Foreign Minister summoned the Canadian High Commissioner for an explanation. But the real question is clear: were Tamil people killed in large numbers or not? Your Government was not in power then. If you truly believe the Rajapaksa Government did no wrong, that is one matter. But if you believe those who committed crimes should be punished, then start investigations—domestically or internationally. There are none; instead, Tamil people are continuously denied justice. That is clear.

¶ 04 Yesterday the Hon. President attended a “war victory” celebration. Our people are firm in demanding justice; that is why they gathered on the 18th. The President, however, took part in Victory Day on the 19th. This demonstrates the division: we stand with our people and their future, while this Government, like past governments, celebrates victory and protects the military and those responsible.

¶ 05 Our Government cannot even resolve day-to-day issues of our people—let alone a political solution or land issues. On human–elephant conflict alone, in Batticaloa District within a month, people were killed in Vavunatheevu and Palaithivu, and in border villages like Thanthamalai lives are being lost. There is no solution.

¶ 06 I acknowledge one thing the Hon. President said yesterday: he noted that not only Southern mothers grieve for their soldier sons, but Tamil mothers in the North and East grieve for loved ones lost during the last stages of the war. I acknowledge that statement.

¶ 07 The President also spoke earlier of a “Sri Lanka Day” for all to celebrate being Sri Lankan. That can now be scrapped. On 18 May, Tamils remembered their dead and demanded justice; on 19 May, the President commemorated the so-called war heroes. This shows a clear division between the Tamil nation and the Sinhala nation. Please tell the President at your group meetings: do not raise funds for a fake Sri Lanka Day when division is so evident.

¶ 08 On land, I saw exchanges this morning between the Agriculture Minister and the Prime Minister regarding a Gazette about land settlements in the North. The Hon. Minister of Justice is here. Mr. M. A. Sumanthiran, a senior, respected lawyer—whose legal advice the President sought before assuming office—wrote on Facebook regarding this Gazette. He states (translated summary): Under Section 4 of the Land Development Ordinance, by letter dated 18.05.2025, the Ministry has said the process announced by Gazette on 28.03.2025 is temporarily suspended. But Section 5(1) mandates that if no one claims a right, the land must be declared State land. Therefore, only revoking the Gazette resolves the issue. So unless this Gazette is withdrawn, the State will proceed to appropriate Tamil people’s lands, especially affecting those displaced by war who cannot assert title within the time given. I urge the Government to immediately withdraw it.

¶ 09 Regarding recent elections, there is a clear verdict. In the North and East, where Tamils are the majority, the Government could not secure a single local authority outright. The people have sent a clear message—not only in the North and East, but also in the South.

¶ 10 Previously, a “BR”—Basil Rajapaksa—boasted that Pohottuwa won three elections consecutively. Now there is another “BR” in this Government. He must realize he has lost two in a row; votes have fallen dramatically. The “BR curse” afflicts this country. Since 2009, one “BR” after another—today even within this Parliament—has brought us to this state. In the last five months there have been over 45 shootings; you cannot sweep this under the rug. Anyone can be shot in this country today. End this thuggery. We do not seek conflict with the Government. We would welcome a truce in criticism if you cease thuggery and accept defeat where you lost. It is absurd for a President to call independent groups to form local bodies. Will he now come to Batticaloa too to assemble independent groups for NPP councils?

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker, your time is up? Okay, Sir.

¶ 12 Let me be clear: this Parliament has four to four-and-a-half years left; the President has even less. We will not topple the Government—we want to set it right. With a two-thirds Government, amend the Constitution, adopt a new one, and resolve the national question permanently. If you are unwilling and continue with thuggish behaviour over the next four years, you will not last that long; you will fall before that. I urge Ministers to listen and initiate a proper course. Otherwise, we will have no option but to continue to criticize. The President spoke of a Rs. 75 billion development fund for the North and East; we are ready to work. But stop the thuggery, accept defeat, and act as normal people. Restrain the “BR-style” actions.

¶ 13 Thank you.