The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today the House is debating regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act and certain other matters. However, I must highlight obstacles to coconut exports. Although it is said that a few military camps have been released in the North and East, hundreds of acres of land, especially livelihood lands of the people, still remain under military control. They have not been returned. People have lost their ancestral lands and, for 15 years after the war, Tamil citizens of this country still live as displaced persons, in welfare centres or with relatives. Let them live in their own habitats.

¶ 02 In Mullaitivu District, in the Karai Thurai Pattu Divisional Secretariat Division, at Keppapulavu and Pulakkudiyiruppu, the plight has not ended. Only a few have been allowed to return. Still, 54 families wait in welfare centres with the yearning, “Will we be settled back on our ancestral land?” When they lived on their own land, they lacked nothing: fertile soil on one side and a river on the other with no scarcity of fish or prawns. Beyond residential plots, they had productive home gardens, paddy, and coconut according to seasons.

¶ 03 Today, coconut prices are extremely high, causing severe hardship to people. These families who sustained themselves from their ancestral holdings are now in great distress. The military has appropriated 55 acres belonging to 54 families without releasing them. Only after intense struggles were some plots released. As the representative of these people, I ask that all these lands of the 54 families be released, and I request the responsible Ministry to take steps to ensure this.

¶ 04 Next, I wish to raise a matter concerning the media. In this country, the fourth estate—journalism—continues to be suppressed. During the war period, many journalists and media workers were killed: Dharmeratnam Sivaram, Mayilvaganam Nimalarajan, Subramaniam Sugirtharajan, Iyathurai Nadesan, and senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge are examples. Many others were abducted and made to disappear. Due to threats, numerous journalists and media workers have left the country. Media institutions too have been attacked: the Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna and Sirasa Network’s “Theppanam” studio were attacked and damaged.

¶ 05 On 24 January 2010 in Homagama, journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was abducted and made to disappear. Like families roaming the North and East in search of disappeared loved ones, his family has struggled for one and a half decades seeking justice for him. Recently, a person identifying himself as former Navy man R.P.D.P. Prasanna Piyasanta stated in an interview given to the private YouTube channel “Sudaa Creation” that Eknaligoda was abducted and killed on the orders of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Please investigate this. I request the present Government to take responsibility, inquire into this anew and deliver justice to his family.

¶ 06 Even after the war, attacks and threats against journalists continue—from the Police, intelligence, military personnel, and individuals involved in illegal activities. On Thursday, 26 December 2024, in Kilinochchi, independent journalist and Secretary of the Kilinochchi Media Association, Murugaiya Thamilshelvan, was almost abducted on the A-9 road by persons who came in a vehicle; when the abduction failed, he was severely assaulted and warned before they fled. I strongly condemn this. Justice must be ensured for him and the perpetrators must be severely punished.

¶ 07 Recently, a journalist who reported on corruption in Kilinochchi—Subramaniam Bhaskaran—was threatened by groups connected to that corruption. His house too was attacked in the past. January has seen many crimes against journalists; hence, 31 January is observed annually as “Black January.” This year too it was observed. For journalists, January still remains black.

¶ 08 When many pointed out illicit logging in Mullaitivu, journalists Kanapathipillai Kumanan and Shanmugam Thavaseelan were attacked by timber smugglers while gathering news. Unknown persons forcibly entered the Mullaitivu Media Association office and aggressively questioned its activities. Journalist Vijayarathinam Saravanan was assaulted and threatened by Police while gathering news at Kurundoor malai in Mullaitivu. Many such incidents have occurred in Vavuniya and Mannar as well. We trust the new Government now in office. They are people who understand suffering. Therefore, ensure the freedom and independence of journalists. Thank you.