• Governments of India and the State of Tamil Nadu should consider providing monetary assistance and expertise to the Sri lankan government to design and conduct affirmative action programmes in the plantations  

By Yohan Perera  

Tamil Progressive Alliance ( TPA) welcomed the decision of the government and the President to evaluate the contribution made by Indian origin Tamils to the economy.   

The party also called for Indian support for this purpose “ We welcome govt decision to evaluate contribution of Indian Origin Tamils to economy. But it shall be qualified with affirmative action to uplift them,” TPA Leader Mano Ganesan said.   

Government of Sri Lanka officially decides to evaluate and then recognize the contribution of the Indian Origin Hill Country Tamil community to the national economy over the last 200 years upon their arrival in 1823. TPA as the major community party welcomes this Cabinet Memo of President Ranil Wickremesinghe  2023. is the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first generation these people of most recent Indian origin. We now call upon the government to implement the evaluation with administrative measures including constitutionally sanctioned affirmative action to catch up lost ground, on land, housing rights, employment, education and health” TPA Leader said.  

“Realization of the Sri Lankan state, he needs to support the underprivileged Hill Country Tamil community makes us happy.,” he added.   

“ However the economic crisis may not be conducive to provide all livelihood subsidies and other infrastructure allocations needed to these people. Hence, this wakeup call goes to India also. Governments of India and the State of Tamil Nadu should consider providing monetary assistance and expertise to the Sri lankan government to design and conduct affirmative action programmes in the plantations,” he said.   

“The most underprivileged segments in India are looked after with special reservations with constitutional provisions. It is the vision of Dr. Ambedkar and Arignar Annadorai towards marginalized people in India under the concept of Social Justice.   

We request India to extend such to our people through the government of SriLanka” the MP stressed.     

• We now call upon the government to implement the evaluation with administrative measures including constitutionally sanctioned affirmative action to catch up lost ground