The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in debating the Resolution on the Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, I urge the Government that before passing agreements with foreign states, it must first reach an agreement with its own citizens—especially the Tamil‑speaking people. A year into office, the Government has failed to reach an agreement with them.

¶ 02 I wish to place on record, on behalf of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), our response to the Statement by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs at the 60th Session of the UNHRC:

¶ 03 “We refer to the statement made by Hon. Vijitha Herath at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

¶ 04 At the outset, we must record our deep disappointment on the government’s response to several pressing issues of accountability and reconciliation that are still outstanding. This government came into office holding out several promises. However, one full year after the President was elected, we are yet to see even the beginnings of those promises being fulfilled.

¶ 05 Although the Minister states that strengthening national unity and reconciliation is integral to the development of the country, not even the low-hanging fruits have been harvested. Despite several assurances, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is yet to be repealed. It is a matter of regret that having taken a firm position not to enact any new law to replace the PTA, the Minister now says that a new counter-terrorism legislation would be introduced. PTA is continued to be used despite calls and assurances for a moratorium on its use until its repeal. Similarly, no steps have been taken to repeal the Online Safety Act.

¶ 06 The Minister’s statement that external action will serve to create divisions and jeopardize national processes is hugely problematic, so is his opposition to the Sri Lanka Accountability Project. A decade and a half after the conclusion of the armed conflict, there has been no internal mechanism for accountability whatsoever.

¶ 07 It is in this background; it is only natural for the victims to look for international involvement. The Minister makes no reference to the uncovering of clear evidence of genocidal intent at Chemmani, Jaffna where 240 skeletal remains have been found, most probably as a result of extra-judicial killing. It is a known fact that no local expertise is available for the identification of these victims. Even so, the government has not called for international assistance in this regard or in respect of many other cases of mass graves and enforced disappearances.

¶ 08 We note and thank the government of India for reiterating the call for meaningful devolution and their support to the aspiration of the Tamil community for equality, justice, dignity and peace. India has also called for the early conduct of Provincial Council elections and meaningful devolution of powers.

¶ 09 The Government of Sri Lanka on the other hand in their written response, has taken the position that the Provincial Council elections will be held after the delimitation process is over. This is a recipe to delay the Provincial Council election by at least several years. The Government is breaching its promise to the Tamil speaking people of the North and East by unduly denying their franchise. The Government must immediately give its assent to the Private Members' Bill moved by our Member of Parliament, Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and facilitate the holding of Provincial Council elections immediately.”

¶ 10 This letter is signed by our Party Leader and Secretary‑General, and I table it on behalf of ITAK.

¶ 11 Further, we are concerned about who truly leads this Government. The JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, said in Jaffna that Provincial Council elections would be held only after delimitation is completed—clearly a move to delay due to fear of facing the polls. I also note that while the Prime Minister and Ministers have promised early Provincial Council elections, there is still no clarity whether it will be under a preferential system or post‑delimitation. Who decides policy in this Government?

¶ 12 The Foreign Minister also claimed 60 countries supported Sri Lanka in Geneva. But how many of those 60 actually have voting rights? Do not mislead the public. If you want to build international relations, first build relations with all the peoples who live in this country.

¶ 13 I also table a letter from Hon. Mano Ganesan to the President regarding an attempt to abolish the New Villages Development Authority for the Plantation Region, which would harm the rights of the plantation Tamil people.

¶ 14 Members elected by the hill‑country Tamils should hang their heads in shame. I conclude.