President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasised the necessity of implementing a program to address the challenge of integrating the Upcountry Tamil community. They have diligently contributed to the country’s foreign exchange earnings for two centuries. The goal is to transition them from being a distinct population into an integral part of Sri Lankan society.
The President underscored this need during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat, with Minister Jeevan Thondaman representing the Upcountry Tamil people, along with Members of Parliament Aravinda Kumar and M. Rameswaran. The meeting focused on the issues faced by the Upcountry Tamil people, and the repercussions of the current economic hardships.
The President said that the Upcountry Tamil people (mainly the estate community) have significantly bolstered the nation’s economy for over two centuries. Even today, they continue to play a pivotal role in its economic stability. He said that these people demonstrated unwavering confidence in the Sri Lankan Government and the broader Southern society, even in the aftermath of the events of 1983. They refrained from adopting separatist ideologies or engaging in armed terrorist activities. Referring to the process of granting Sri Lankan citizenship to the Upcountry Tamils, President Wickremesinghe recalled a successful initiative from the 2003 Government. Back then, he served as Prime Minister alongside Minister Arumugan Thondaman and they executed a program initiated by President J.R. Jayewardene. Looking ahead, the President said he would convene discussions involving all political parties representing the Upcountry Tamil people. The objective is to launch a comprehensive program aimed at resolving the challenges faced by this community and elevating their living standards.