The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in the post-war period, we are debating matters that the Eelam Tamils have been consistently denied. History is being written by the victors; successive racist-leaning governments demonstrate that “the victor’s tale becomes history.”

¶ 02 From Kurundoor Malai in Mullaitivu, Vedukunari Malai in Nedunkeni, Thayiddy in Jaffna, and now the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee—temples are being erected in Tamil ancestral lands while the law is silent and the state machinery guards, beats, intimidates and restrains Tamils. Under a regime of majoritarian oppression, we speak today for a people subjected to a constructed genocide.

¶ 03 International justice is needed for the Mullivaikkal Tamil genocide—the greatest human tragedy of the 21st century. Those responsible—the then-rulers and military—must be included and justice delivered for Tamil genocide through full cooperation of this Government with an international investigation. I urge the Minister of Justice to extend maximum assistance. At the same time, I call for the immediate release of Tamil political prisoners.

¶ 04 Under the PTA, many Tamils who raised their community’s rights were arrested and imprisoned. While some were released, today 10 Tamil political prisoners still languish under the PTA: in Magazine Prison six—Kathirgamathambi Sivakumar, Vikkaneswaranathan Parthipan (30 years), Shanmugalingam Suriya Kumar, Selvarajah Kirubakaran, Sachithanantham Anandasuthakar (17 years), Thambaiya Prakash (16 years). In Mahara Prison two—Johnson Colin Valentrino (17 years), Thangavelu Nimalan (16 years). In Welikada, Krishnasamy Ramachandran (22 years). In Thunmodarai, A.H. Umar Khattab (16 years). They have lost their youth and wait behind bars, their families impoverished and burdened further by the economic crisis and high cost of living.

¶ 05 In the past ten years alone, 11 Tamil political prisoners have died. If action is not taken now, more tragedies may occur. Releasing them would relieve their suffering and their families’ suffering, and be seen as a gesture of reconciliation and unity. I urge their immediate release on humanitarian grounds.

¶ 06 I also refer to Selvakumar Sathiyaleela, once detained for over 14 years and later released, upon whom the Court of Appeal imposed the death penalty in 2023. She has petitioned the Supreme Court. I urge a humanitarian pardon for her pending review.

¶ 07 On enforced disappearances: in the North and East, thousands of innocent Tamils were abducted and disappeared by the military and paramilitary groups. Many who surrendered at Vattuvagal and at the Omanthai checkpoint also disappeared. Families have been protesting for over 3,000 days seeking justice. Wives do not know whether to wear thali and sindoor; children ask if their fathers will return; mothers cannot answer. Many elderly parents have died while protesting. When will you provide justice? Will you wait until all die? Justice delayed is justice denied. In line with families’ demands, initiate an international investigation to deliver justice for the disappeared. I urge this House and the Minister of Justice to act immediately.

¶ 08 Thank you.