The administration is dedicated to granting land titles to Tamils living in Sri Lanka’s hill area and guaranteeing their right to an education, according to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has highlighted the need of bringing the nation together through unity.
Declaring that the goal is to create a more developed Sri Lanka by uniting all citizens, he stated it is the policy of the current government to protect their rights, irrespective of their origins.
These statements were given on Wednesday, November 2, at the “Naam 200” ceremony in Colombo, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) people’s arrival in the hill region, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
Over 5,000 Tamil people from the hills enthusiastically welcomed Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was a guest of honour at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, the president said that the government is dedicated to giving the hill Tamil people property titles and guaranteeing their access to education, noting that this celebration signifies the start of a new path for them.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena acknowledged the important contributions made by the hill Tamil community, especially in terms of promoting “Ceylon tea” and aiding in Sri Lanka’s progress over the previous 200 years. He emphasised that a systematic programme to properly integrate this people into Sri Lankan society has never been started before.
Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasised the Tamil people from the hills’ significant economic contributions to Sri Lanka and stated his willingness to work with the government to support the government’s initiatives to recognise and protect their rights.
Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Plantation Infrastructure and Water Supply and Secretary of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), stressed that significant reforms are required to fairly honour the Tamil people, who have diligently contributed to bolstering the nation’s economy. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Indian government.
Additionally, on the lower portion of Mount Vernon Estate in Dimbula, Kotagala, President Wickremesinghe and Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman lay the cornerstone for a project to build 10,000 dwellings with Indian assistance.
In addition, pupils received school supplies and the Hatton Vocational Training Center’s new auditorium and computer unit were virtually inaugurated.
The President commended the assistance given for the triumphant occasion and commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contribution to Sri Lanka’s financial stability. He also praised Sitharaman, the Indian Finance Minister, for her commitment to the cause.
