The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am glad that Tamil and Muslim party members here seem to acknowledge their past errors. Some say we are using Muslims to fight over land. The Opposition says to resolve this by discussion—fine. But whether in Government or Opposition, this country will never be divided by ethnicity, religion or language. For Tamil-speaking people in the North and East, you have had many committees, reports and boundaries; you could have already reached a settlement.

¶ 02 In the past, Hon. Hizbullah served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Deputy Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, and as a Governor; yet this was not pursued then. If, around 2000, when committees were formed, land issues had been addressed, they could have been resolved. Now you ask this Government to provide the solution.

¶ 03 You say inter-ethnic or social rifts should be resolved and then find a solution. That is good. Settle your differences and come with compromises. Tamil society cannot continue in distress. Under the National People’s Power, there is peace; you yourselves say so. We are happy because there are no ethnic riots now. Earlier, Tamil-speaking people had no peace; today, under this administration, there is calm.

¶ 04 Border issues in our North and East must be resolved. Your voters have expectations. If we keep talking in Parliament without solutions, ethnic parties will keep exploiting these issues. We agree with you—let us work with the relevant Ministers and the President to deliver immediate solutions. Otherwise these problems will fuel ethnic politics for a long time. We must all unite and obtain a solution. If the Government can provide it, then those pursuing ethnic politics should reconsider. Thank you!