The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate the Emergency and public safety. Recently, in the hill country, some have tried to exaggerate small incidents into big issues, and certain political parties are exploiting them.

¶ 02 Three particular incidents occurred: one in the Delmar Estate in Ragala, Nuwara Eliya, where a dispute arose between the estate management and workers; it has been peacefully resolved by police and our trade union working with our members. The second was in the Mocka Estate in Maskeliya, a dispute between an officer and a guard; immediate action was taken and the manager was arrested the next day after significant protests. Another incident occurred in Ratnapura District; our Hon. Deputy Minister Pradeep Sundaralingam visited and resolved land-related issues through discussions.

¶ 03 As someone born in the hills, I must say: the hill country Tamil estate workers have toiled for over 200 years for this nation. Yet their core problems — schools, education, health, transport, wages — have long remained unresolved and are worsening. Since we came to power, we approached estate workers’ issues in a new way. Historically, after privatization, never had the Government directly contributed to estate workers’ wages. This time, with companies contributing Rs. 200 and the Government adding Rs. 200, we enabled a Rs. 1,750 payment. The hill country people welcomed this and thanked the Government. The biggest message: the old trade unions that held fort in the hills have lost relevance; they could not even hold proper May Day events. Hence, they are trying to inflate small issues into big problems.

¶ 04 We know how racism and sectarianism were unleashed in this country. In 1978–80, the UNP instigated racism; estate workers in Ratnapura, Balangoda, Pelmadulla, and Badulla–Bandarawela were attacked and oppressed on ethnic lines. Those who pushed racist actions now accuse us of not caring for estate workers. The very people who denied house and land rights to the hill country people now mock us.

¶ 05 Our National People’s Power Government will never allow racist or sectarian agendas to divide people. We have shown special concern for estate workers. This time, Nuwara Eliya’s May Day with estate worker participation was grand — those who historically destroyed estate workers cannot stomach it, so they spread slander.

¶ 06 Meanwhile, in the North, we are undertaking major development: this year we will build 700 houses; last year we completed 662 houses for affected and displaced people; we are advancing local industries and rapidly repairing long-neglected roads. We have set up a task force to tackle narcotics harming youth; parents in the Jaffna–Sunnagam area told me they can now send their children to school with more peace of mind, though the problem is not fully solved.

¶ 07 The Tamil diaspora now expresses willingness to visit and invest in Sri Lanka. During my recent visit to Norway, many Tamils said they see new changes and have hope to invest here.

¶ 08 A few in the North thrive only on racism — they keep issues alive to sustain ethnic politics. But the people in the North, especially in Vanni, have given us a mandate. We understand their issues and are addressing them systematically. Our May Day rallies in Jaffna and Vavuniya drew thousands; the people are with us. We will never harm the people of Jaffna; we will protect them. Thank you.