The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. Our District Coordinating Committee Chairman spoke about preserving harmony between the two communities in Batticaloa. However, this has been framed as a social conflict to mobilize protests. They even said only the three Ottamavadi Pradeshiya Sabha Members of the National People’s Power would undertake a hunger strike. Why should those in Government engage in protests? It is unprecedented—under this very Government, they protested.

¶ 02 We of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) are in dialogue to ensure Tamils and Muslims live in harmony in the East. To the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and others, I say: there was a time some thought Tamil politics could only grow by speaking against Muslims, and vice versa. Please do not allow a return to such politics. We have also been raising issues like Kalmunai North in continuity. Using such matters for politics will only help security-intelligence elements as in the past. We have formed joint administrations in local authorities; that unity must continue.

¶ 03 A Delimitation Committee cannot solve this. We must propose the solution ourselves. If any committee’s outcome is rejected by our people, there will be protests. Therefore, we must talk among ourselves and find a solution, otherwise this will become a major inter-communal problem.

¶ 04 Finally, the SLMC Leader has blamed officials. We cannot accept blaming officials. You referred to a motion by Nazeer Ahamed; at that time he had left your party and obtained a ministerial post. If he was a Minister, why did he not do it then with the Rajapaksas and officials? Some benefit from officials for business in Kalmunai but call it ‘official terrorism’ when it comes to such issues. Do not drag Batticaloa officials into this. We will not act in ways that create ethnic rifts. If other parties in our area also refrain, both communities can continue to live in peace. That is our responsibility. Thank you!