The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Even if I am shot, burned, buried, and raised again, my national leader is Prabhakaran. I am not repeating it for effect. I have been allotted 11 minutes to speak in the Committee Stage debate on the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

¶ 02 I must state something important. The MP who threatened to kill me — “Come towards Puttalam, I will kill you” — is not here now. He said that because I whispered in the Health Minister’s ear the true situation about an issue concerning the people of Puttalam. It is fine. We who did not fear for 39 years will not start fearing now.

¶ 03 It is said Puttalam Hospital will be upgraded — good. Why do I speak about a predominantly Muslim area? Because it is a duty left to me by my leader. If my leader once sent people from Jaffna, it is my duty to rectify that mistake. On that basis, I speak a few words here for my blood brothers, to tell them the truth. That is all.

¶ 04 I also spoke about the people of the estates in the hill country because no one gives them a voice; those who are elected for them do not speak here. The NPP MPs who came for them end up cutting grass and selling it metaphorically. Therefore, I feel the need to speak for those people.

¶ 05 I am truly distressed to say this. The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti is here. During the Tamil Eelam administration there was an Economic Development Board in Jaffna. You may not know it because in 2005 you all lined up to say “Start the war.” So you may not know — or you act as if you do not know. I say clearly: our national leader Velupillai Prabhakaran ran an excellent administration with full structures — banks, agriculture, and more. KKS Cement Factory, Oddusuddan tiles, salt pans, everything — I was born and raised in such a place, and set foot there in 1986.

¶ 06 Last time we had a chance to argue whether 2 percent, 3 percent, or 0.02 percent was allocated in the Budget. This time there is nothing. I read your Budget page by page — I have not even read my medicine books like that — and there is nothing for the Northern Province. I say this because you do not know the ground realities. The Tamil nation once ran a government with an economic development board; today our people wander begging for Passports and basic services. Please, come to the North. We will support you. We will help you at the DCC. We will do the work you should do, and point out your mistakes. Pointing out mistakes does not make me big and you small; I am small in age and political experience. We are helping you.

¶ 07 Even when we call you saying “Please come,” you say “No need,” but then you conduct DCC meetings without a proper circular or process. Only after I raised a question under 27(2) did you change the circulars. I say again: there is no need to topple one government to start another, nor do I have the need to be a member of a separate group. You still have four years. Even if not in this Budget, please do something for the Northern Province in the next one. Why do we ask for allocations to the North and the East? This is not racism. Hon. Minister Sunil Handunnetti, you came and saw the roads, hospitals, and markets in our areas. If, after seeing, nothing is done, it will be sad. I have no anger towards you; I say these things for progress, not to call you liars.

¶ 08 You allocated Rs. 5,000 million for Northern Province development. We were happy. Even when many mocked me, I praised the President. Even Hon. Harsha de Silva said in his speech that Archchuna’s face looked happy. Out of that Rs. 5,000 million, tell us what percentage you used? At the DCC meeting with the President, we asked directly for Rs. 5,000 million to build roads. From that, Rs. 1,000 million each was allocated to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu. Not even Rs. 10–20 million has been spent. This time you have allocated Rs. 150 million for grounds. Please ensure even that Rs. 150 million is used.

¶ 09 There is a central economic hub in Chavakachcheri. Your job is not to come drum-beating to open it ceremonially. You said you would not cut ceremonial ribbons and wear garlands, yet people like Samarasinghe go around with flower garlands. The developments you promised have not happened even after a year. I must also say a few things in Sinhala.

¶ 10 Some of you think I came here to bring your government down. Even the President told me, “Do not provoke; do not speak Sinhala versus Tamil.” Let me clearly restate: I live among Sinhala people. They speak Sinhala; I also speak Sinhala. Everyone must love their own community. You must have the spine to say you are Sinhala-Buddhist; I too must have the spine to say I am Tamil. I cannot flatter you by saying I will abandon my faith or nation. If someone is Muslim, let him live as a Muslim. But we must accept we are Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim. Then within that, let us join to do what we can. Accept each other’s identity; together let us build this country. When I travel abroad, I see the difference between those countries and ours. Many watching this are in a three-wheeler on a small phone; their lives never change. Do not keep lying. You said you will look after the poor list; finally you look after your own bellies. Look at your cars. I will not name names. I came here and will leave like our Pillaiyar deity — simply. You eat, drink, kick down others, and in the end you even want cabs. Do not cry like babies; if you do, someone should hand you a milk bottle. If you must steal and go, do it. But what about the people who voted? We loved you and spoke for you. It pains us that in a year you did nothing. Please remember your promises first — the people are watching what you do.

¶ 11 Hon. Moulasanaarusu asked whether we need money from Uganda. I too was misled like the poor. Where is Uganda’s money? Not even in Parliament today. You said you would give a Vitz for 1.2 million; now you cannot buy two tyres. However, the Health Minister spoke honestly: “We cannot fix this now; we need four years; we need buildings; we will see what is feasible.” That is the right answer. So we appreciate that Minister. Whenever needed, I will go to his office and say “Aiyya.”

¶ 12 Hon. Presiding Member: Hon. Member, you have two more minutes.

¶ 13 Eight minutes and 30 seconds have passed. I have 11 minutes. I am using a stopwatch. Thank you.

¶ 14 We love you. You say there are no ethnic or religious divisions. There is a Buddha statue in Parliament. Is there a Pillaiyar statue? Can I bring one? I accept that the majority here are Sinhala; if this is your country, then keep it. If you do not love us, we will jump into the sea — no problem. We love you and in your language we say we will never incite racism. If anyone tries to incite communalism now, after the march is over, we will sit on your side against that. But accept that I am Tamil, you are Muslim, you are Buddhist — do not lie to the country saying “we are all one.” Every leader has said there are no Sinhalese, Tamils, or Muslims. We tell you: do not say that.

¶ 15 If you can hold Provincial Council elections, say so; if not, say so. Some told me to contest from Western Province for Chief Minister — as an FMB. I am Tamil; will anyone vote? Maybe not. But we love the Sinhala people of this country. I say clearly: I call Prabhakaran my deity — that is the truth I speak. There are 225 here; ask anyone if they call him deity — they will not. But after my mic was off, one MP said, “Machan, you went a bit too far.” Do not do that. People are watching and believing your words. Think before you speak into the mic and about what you actually do. Many go to the canteen and talk; people outside will beat us up for our hypocrisy — that is what I am warning about.

¶ 16 Hon. Presiding Member: Hon. Member, your time is over. Please wind up.

¶ 17 In 30 seconds, Sir. People believe your words. I feel ashamed to sit here. Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, am I angry? No. Are we angry? No. But our supporters are made to fight each other. That is wrong. So first tell the people the truth. Then please come to the North. We will prepare the groundwork for you. We will not oppose good things. You still do not understand, which shows you are petty-minded. Do not go there. Please take to heart what I say. We love you. So come to the North. We will make everything ready for you.

¶ 18 Thank you so much.