The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 Some may wonder why Nizam Kariapper from Kalmunai in the East speaks on the Diyawadana Nilame. I will later speak of my forebears—Ockkar Marikkar Madigeh Muhandiram was my great-grandfather’s grandfather. Our Muslim ancestors worked closely with the Kandyan Kingdom. The issue here springs from a legal problem. Under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, the phrase “gentlemen of the country” referred to an office, a public position. There must be an amendment. But even pending amendment, where a female Divisional Secretary occupies that office, she should not lose the right attached to the office. Previously we had “Collectors” and “Government Agents”; now the function is at divisional level. Merely because a woman holds the post should not remove the rights inherent in the office. My humble view is that disqualifying her solely for being a woman is contrary to Article 12 of the Constitution—an equality right. Therefore, they too must be able to exercise the franchise.