The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. Today I wish to respond on the regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and some criticisms raised.

¶ 02 May is a month of sorrow in Sri Lanka. It is a time when we remember a tragic event. All communities—Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim—were affected. Sixteen years have passed since the war ended. When we look now, especially at Tamil issues, we see many matters unchanged. Since September last year, changes have begun gradually. A government trusted by the Tamil people has emerged. Today Tamils join hands with that government. In this context, local government elections were held on the 6th. Various comments are being made about the results. First, I sincerely thank the Tamil voters in the North who voted for our party.

¶ 03 In particular, in the Jaffna District, where we previously had no representation in several Pradeshiya Sabhas, we now have 81 members. Some say we received fewer votes than in the general election and have fallen behind due to our actions over the past six months.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, over the last six months, it is the National People’s Power Government that has created a new political culture. For 76 years, politics in this country belonged to elites and landowners. Today, political power—the presidency and ministries—are in the hands of ordinary people who, together with others, are implementing a programme to rebuild the country. Whether some like it or not, what we have before us is the destruction wrought by politicians who ruined this country through communalism, religious bigotry, bribery, and corruption.

¶ 05 Tamils have been pushed back by 30 years of underdevelopment; basic development in their areas has lagged, leading even to questions of their continued presence. We accept this. In 1981, Jaffna’s population was around 830,000. Had it grown at a normal rate, today it would be 1.4 to 1.6 million. Instead, it is about 620,000. Jaffna once elected 11 MPs; now it is six, and may fall to four or even three next time. The decline of population continues. To those politicians who claim to speak for Tamil rights: what concrete programmes do you propose to secure the community’s future? Instead of plans, in the last election we saw—just as southern racists do in the South—communal incitement, cash handouts, and liquor distribution in the North. Senior figures in Jaffna themselves acknowledge this.

¶ 06 Parties that once operated from Jaffna on principle are now distrusted. Even friends from the Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) say they cannot believe what their party did this time. Their success owed not to genuine public aspiration, but to those methods. How then do we protect Tamil presence and rebuild Jaffna? Our President is advancing clear programmes.

¶ 07 [Presiding Member: Hon. Minister, you are given an additional three minutes.]

¶ 08 For over 30 years, everything in these areas has been at a standstill—with no jobs and closed factories. We are implementing a plan to revive them: establishing a large industrial estate in Kankesanthurai; expanding Palaly Airport and Mullaitivu (Myliddy) Harbour; extending ferry services to India; and improving rail services. When these come together and Palaly becomes an international airport, investors say major development will follow. With investments and proper implementation, within three years over 40,000 jobs for youth in those areas alone can be created.

¶ 09 Today, Jaffna’s youth go abroad for work or fall into drugs. Government measures are underway to restore confidence so they can live in Jaffna. A new international cricket ground is being established in Jaffna; an indoor stadium is also being developed; the Vattuvagal and Kokkavil bridges are being rehabilitated; roads are being repaired; in Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya, irrigation tanks are being restored.

¶ 10 In the Northern Province, there are roughly 15 million palmyrah trees. Through the Palmyrah Development Board, we are launching major initiatives and new factories. After these programmes, we believe Tamil youth in the North and East—including Jaffna—will regain confidence to live in Sri Lanka. That is how Tamil presence will be secured. We must identify those politicians who, while claiming to protect Tamil existence, actually undermine it. It is the NPP Government that is taking real steps to safeguard and sustain Tamil presence. Thank you.