Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at this moment we warmly accept and are ready to support the efforts by Hon. Radhakrishnan, Hon. Mano Ganesan, Hon. Thigambaram and their group to empower the hill country people. We heard claims of services provided over decades. I recall President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s era and before, especially the massive process of granting citizenship to this community—ending decades of injustice.

¶ 02 The present Government issued a separate ‘Hatton Manifesto of the National People’s Power Movement’ under the theme “Power for the Motherland – A Dignified Citizen,” promising to empower the hill country people. Yet today, these people are highly insecure and subjected to physical attacks and pressure. After the assault at Nilagama Estate, the ‘Nilagama Declaration’ was issued. From that we can judge the level of protection provided by this Government. The simplest right is to live freely without attacks; the Government has failed in this, as multiple incidents show.

¶ 03 Cyclone ‘Ditwa’ caused severe hardship to many in the hill country—many were displaced and lost shelter. In Maskeliya’s Fairlawn Estate alone, 40 families and 49 houses were affected—one example. Yet to this moment, they have not received the Rs. 500,000 or Rs. 1,000,000 relief. The Government has also failed to restore damaged infrastructure in these areas.

¶ 04 On 15 January 2026, under “Pongal for Rights,” people took to the streets. They demanded a pathway to resolve the line room issue and to obtain a home on their own land. In March 2026, a joint declaration with the President promised the Rs. 500,000 relief to eligible families. Still, to this moment, it has not been delivered.

¶ 05 We all know: small tea holders, owning about 40% of tea lands, contribute around 70% of national tea production, while large private and state entities contribute a small share. Therefore, support can be given to cultivate uncultivated lands and to build houses on cultivated lands, transforming workers from perpetual labour to capital-owning smallholders—this is our vision, and we will implement it. Every citizen should have the right to a plot of land in this country.

¶ 06 Education and health in these areas show severe breakdowns. The Government must urgently strengthen schools, diagnosis, and treatment. Child and maternal malnutrition, anemia, low birth weight, stunting, and wasting are prevalent—this is no secret. The social welfare system must uplift this community to restore life and vitality.

¶ 07 This community brings billions of dollars to our country through their labour. They deserve far higher consideration than mere statements. They need tangible welfare, land, houses, strong health and education systems—turned into reality. We stand ready to fully support such actions. Thank you.