The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Greetings to all. I usually speak here with anger. Today, however, the Hon. Minister used certain words that made me smile. He said he would “punaramaikka” roads and bridges—in Tamil, ‘punar’ (to unite sexually) is different from ‘punar’ (to repair). I was afraid he was using the wrong word. I will leave the language aside and come to the point.

¶ 02 For people of the Northern Province, the Tamil Arasu Kachchi is like the Tamil heart—a party identified by our national leader’s guidance. To say that people voted for money and liquor insults Tamil national consciousness. Not a single Jaffna Tamil votes for cash. That may be someone’s style of politics, but not ours.

¶ 03 When our national leader asked people to boycott, they did so completely. To now say our people voted for money and liquor is deeply troubling.

¶ 04 Regarding May 18 and Mullivaikkal, the pain runs deep. A monument in Canada marks this genocide—not to divide this country, but to record history. Understand that clearly.

¶ 05 We have never asked to divide the country. What we ask is to investigate and address the disappearance and deaths of 1.5–2 million who suffered—conduct proper investigations. We never said we want to split the country—or that we want to topple the NPP Government. Whoever comes, everyone says the same and does the same.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, when I rise to speak, my mic is turned off. For days, my time has been cut. Why so much fear of an independent MP? Do I use wrong words? Today I am speaking calmly.

¶ 07 Let me be brief. Coming to Parliament offers great perks—Rs. 400,000 salary, a vehicle, and more. But our job is to see how to save the country over the next five years. Do not manufacture politics here.

¶ 08 Earlier, someone said we are building a monument for Prabhakaran in the North. You know Brigadier Balraj, a leader respected by war heroes—he underwent heart surgery in Singapore in 2002 and was brought back to Katunayake; we respect Sinhala war heroes too. King Ellalan’s tomb exists and even processions stop there out of respect. But is Parliament arranged so we can truly speak? The perks here are great, but 225 politicians alone cannot deliver—professionals must also contribute. I could earn Rs. 1 million a day outside, but I chose to come here to serve. Do not dismiss independent professionals.

¶ 09 Now look at the country. There is no salt. People are boiling sea water at home. In the North, saltern workers are protesting. Did one twelfth of you even visit them? We told the people of the North we love the NPP Government if it delivers good things. I am a doctor, not a career politician. I asked only that we help the Northern people—yet I have been dragged to court repeatedly, my mic cut off, and I have been silenced. How can elections be held in the North under these conditions?

¶ 10 The Minister said people in the North were given cash and liquor. We Tamils do not fall for liquor. During Prabhakaran’s time, there wasn’t a single illicit liquor shop in the North. Now, how many? Back then, was there even one rape case? If such a thing happened, the culprit was dragged to the street and shot. That is how the North was administered then. But now, ten bar licences have reportedly been granted. We love you and you have 159 Members—but do not push us out. We are independent professionals who came to do something good for the country.

¶ 11 There are narcotics dealers and big thieves operating in the North. Some hospitals are looted. Those responsible are being protected. I tell the NPP: silence those who make such statements and let competent people speak—then your side will win in the North.

¶ 12 Also, if you do not even know the Tamil word for “underwear” (jatti), how will you help the North? “Jetty” is different from “jatti.”

¶ 13 Please, to the Government: silence those two Members and appoint others to relevant District Coordinating Committees; otherwise I will have to expose more. Thank you.