Under new Constitution: 'Caste based reservations sought in Jaffna'

16 June 2017 08:19 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Caste based reservations in governing bodies and educational institutions have been sought by some political parties, organizations and individuals in Jaffna in their submissions to the Pubic Representation Committee on Constitutional Reforms, officials said yesterday.

Committee Chairman Lal Wijenayake told the Daily Mirror that the north was the sole area where this problem was openly discussed when deliberating the general public on constitutional reforms.

Mr.Wijenayake said the EPRLF led by former North-East Provincial Council Chief Minister Varatharajah Perumal was one political party that sough such reservation citing that caste based discrimination was so acute.

“This is the only area where they came openly about the caste problem. They said there was discrimination. They even said the depressed castes accounted for 40 per cent. I do not know. I am not sure about the number. I asked why they did not fight back if the number were so high. They were concerned that there was no representation for them in the elected bodies and the education sector. They said they did not receive any representation after 1960 for the caste group considered to be lowest,” he said.

In making submission, he said it was referred to how an MP was appointed during the time of former Prime Minister the late Sirimawo Bandaranaike.

“They said the political parties were dominated by the higher caste groups today. It is difficult to get nominations from these parties. They wanted allocation of seats,” he said.

He said even medical specialists came before the Committee and complained about discrimination over the caste factor.

“Even some members of our committee were very angry when such complaints were made. Some of our committee members noted it as exaggeration,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 21

Concern citizen Friday, 16 June 2017 11:45 AM

I dont see DM has any agenda, because, i have seen that some social media people including some NGOs represenatives dragging them to write these type of articles by further Exaggerating the issue. If they want to highlight those issue, they have everything more than this. I saw even every parties, Rani Wickremesinghe, Mahinda R, Maithripala, NGOs and every others people attacking the DM. There were some rubbish articles were seen in DM some days, but DM seems to trying to expose within their limits.Concern citizen

Mohammed L.S M. Saturday, 17 June 2017 01:32 PM

The LTTE was initially formed as a response to the deep-rooted caste system in Jaffna,and subsequently metamorphosed into anti-Sinhala,separatist movement.Most of the high caste Tamil politicians were eliminated by the LTTE,and majority high caste Tamils fled the country.

Sheri Saturday, 17 June 2017 12:41 PM

Yes, that is the tamil mentality!

Sheri Saturday, 17 June 2017 12:40 PM

Leo, no chance of that happening at all!

Sheri Saturday, 17 June 2017 12:38 PM

Caste system emanated from India - so its right and appropriate these people migrate to tamil nadu, so they are at home there!

sach Saturday, 17 June 2017 08:59 AM

If low caste people demand, there is no harm in giving them reservations

kumar Friday, 16 June 2017 07:52 PM

Who the hell are you to tell that?

raj Friday, 16 June 2017 01:27 PM

Tell these so called high/upper caste people to leave Sri Lanka they have place here. They can go to India and do their rubbish caste stuff

ceylon Friday, 16 June 2017 01:08 PM

some one might suggest people whiter and dark skin also need such.also short and taller hight also need such. via DM Android App

ceylon Friday, 16 June 2017 01:07 PM

this kind of stupid suggestions must not accept for discusion.why wasting time of educated members of this council. via DM Android App

Leo Friday, 16 June 2017 12:24 PM

Imagine if the Tamil Eelam is achieved one day through these political reforms. We would be worse off than Palestinians.

lankaman Friday, 16 June 2017 09:06 AM

While due regard needs to be given to sentiments of communities as well as fair representation for all, the cast system is a medieval system which is an insult to humanity

Nuwan Friday, 16 June 2017 11:45 AM

Looks like Mr. Mahindapala is now working for DM? He over the years has produced a few good articles on the matter.

dinesh Friday, 16 June 2017 11:42 AM

the hypocrisy of the tamil "nation" in full view.

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 16 June 2017 11:16 AM

The caste system must be eradicated. A discrimination because of the caste should be severely punished as this is a violation of human rights.

Lankan Friday, 16 June 2017 11:01 AM

Recently, I notice that DM is so keen to publish stories about caste system in Jaffna. Do you have an agenda?

SL Friday, 16 June 2017 10:56 AM

These people are so naive,Even though these people are behaving so badly towards SL armed forces they are the one who are donating blood to hospitals in Jaffna since no one is willing to donate blood sitting this disgusting cast issue.

Kosala Friday, 16 June 2017 10:46 AM

Its Better for them to migrate to Mother INDIA. via DM Android App

ceylon Friday, 16 June 2017 10:22 AM

animals disguise as people.more people now know jaffna is such a jungle. via DM Android App

lkboy Friday, 16 June 2017 09:47 AM

what primitive mindset!

Kadmin Friday, 16 June 2017 09:21 AM

They are crying foul over a non-existing genocide, but what is this nuisance? Have they forgotten their own slogans? We are all human and learn to live together or find somewhere you can.

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Under new Constitution: 'Caste based reservations sought in Jaffna'

Comments - 21

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