Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 [2.35 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we consider condolence motions for five former MPs and Ministers who upheld the dignity of this Parliament. The late Hon. Gamini Lokuge represented Parliament from 1983 to 2024. In 1983, when the pogrom occurred, we had hoped leaders like him would protect Tamils; I extend condolences to his family. The late Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi entered the National State Assembly in 1977, during a time of great hardship for Tamils, particularly the Up-Country people fighting for citizenship; we trust he would have understood and supported our struggles — my condolences to his family. The late Hon. W.B. Ranatunga represented Parliament from 1989; during 1989–1994, when many Tamils were displaced from the North, I extend condolences to his family and all who mourn him. The late Hon. P. Dayaratna, a Chartered Electrical Engineer, adorned this House as a learned man in 1989–1990; I extend condolences to his family.

¶ 03 Regarding our Muslim brothers, the late Hon. M.H. Sehu Iszadeen studied at Akkaraipattu Zahira College and qualified from Sri Lanka Law College. He was also a renowned poet, and by 1994 had become a prominent Muslim political leader in Parliament. In the 1990 period, war raged between Tamils and Sinhalese; our ethnic issue truly took root from the 1970s. Sri Lanka has three national groups — the Sinhalese majority, Tamils, and Muslims. Stating this order should not offend our Muslim brothers.

¶ 04 Order, please. At this stage the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees has taken the Chair.

¶ 05 The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara left the Chair and the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, the Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara, took the Chair.

¶ 06 Hon. Member, please continue your speech.

¶ 07 Thank you, Madam. I have been in this House for a year, and often we debate ethnic issues — how minorities, Tamils and Muslims, were treated. I was born in 1986 and had no home until 2009 — we lived displaced due to the ethnic conflict. Some youths now question whether an ethnic issue exists; they do not know history.

¶ 08 In the 1970s — during the periods represented by Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi and Hon. Gamini Lokuge — the ethnic issue escalated. I was not yet born then. From the time of Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake, the conflict was stoked by majoritarian policies, and Tamil and Muslim unity was later undermined by chauvinistic forces. Historically, Tamil and Muslim communities were as close as “nail and flesh.” Later, divisive politics drove us apart, including through language-based discrimination.

¶ 09 Read the poems of Muhammad Hassan Sehu Iszadeen: from 1972–1978 he published six books, repeatedly urging Tamil–Muslim unity. Earlier Muslim leaders fostered this unity; over time it eroded. In 1983, “Black July” occurred. Some Tamil political leaders misled youth with inflammatory rhetoric, pushing them toward arms; later those same politicians disowned the militants. Even after so many sacrifices — our national leader, families, tens of thousands of cadres, and mass graves like Chemmani — some keep the same politics. We still see media reports from that era of massacres in the East; politicians who started that for self-interest still play the same roles today.

¶ 10 On a day to remember the departed, one Member spoke in a way that angered Muslims; as an Independent Tamil MP, I urge all to recall the constructive Muslim leadership of the past and not descend into ethnic or religious division. Sehu Iszadeen did not promote ethnic chauvinism; today’s politics too often rides on it. That is a grave flaw.

¶ 11 I was born in 1986; the five leaders we honour today were born long before me. From 1983 onward, they could not by themselves stop the tragedies, though I believe they would have opposed them. As a Tamil, I believe we must never pursue divisive, chauvinist politics. The late Hon. P. Dayaratna was a Chartered Electrical Engineer — leaders of real calibre served then. Today, by contrast, some cannot even press the correct voting button. I believe the people will once again send capable leaders like those we honour today. I convey condolences to their families, friends and all who loved them. Thank you.