The Hon. Palani Thigambaram

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I am pleased to speak after Hon. Ambika Samivel in this Committee Stage debate on the votes of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities. As this is the first Budget of the NPP government, expectations were high. I am pleased that the Hill Country Tamil community is specifically acknowledged. I thank the Hon. President for that. But do not stop with words; implement programs. Do not keep blaming us. In our time we served as much as we could.

¶ 02 The “Good Governance” period was the golden era for Hill Country people. Ours is a 200-year problem; you cannot change it overnight or in a single term. It needs continuity. If you address these comprehensively now, we will fully cooperate.

¶ 03 To those saying we deceived estate people—I was born on an estate and became the first Cabinet Minister from there. Check my record as Minister of this same Ministry (2015–2019); there was no corruption. I came to politics because I know the people’s suffering, not to engage in wrongdoing. Now you have power—deliver instead of blaming us. You say MPs grabbed petrol sheds, bungalows, and government houses cheaply—check if any of our names appear on such lists. Not one.

¶ 04 Hon. Ambika Samivel’s estate did work worth “ten lakhs”—please check estimates; you cannot build palaces for Rs. 1 million. I built 157 houses, not based on party or expected votes; most recipients were not our party supporters. Verify our work—there is plenty we did.

¶ 05 You now have power; unite with the President and work. If you deliver, people will vote for you; otherwise, neither Tamils nor Sinhalese will vote for you next time.

¶ 06 Hon. Minister, you focused much on plantations; please focus more on estate people. We will fully support—we have no jealousy. We did not come on a wave; we were elected with over 58,000 votes and will win again. Work properly; we will cooperate. I conclude.

¶ 07 Thank you.