Don’t label us as Indian Tamils: TPA

27 January 2016 02:58 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) yesterday urged the government to stop referring to the up-country Tamil community as “Indian Tamils” and in future to refer to them as “Indian origin Malayaga Tamils” in the New Constitution.

This was just one of the proposals made by the TPA to the government with several proposals and suggestions pertaining to Constitutional reforms.

Speaking at the media briefing held in Colombo, Upcountry New Villages, and Estate Infrastructure and Community Development Minister Palani Digambaran said the devolution of powers vested in the central government, provincial councils and local government bodies should be clarified through the new Constitution.

The TPA headed by Minister Mano Ganeshan, had appointed a sixteen-member-committee to do the spadework for the new constitution.

The political, cultural and social expectations of the people in the up-country villages will be taken into consideration and tabled in Parliament in order to form a new Constitution.

“Since attaining Independence in 1948, up-country Tamils have felt that they were excluded from the government and development projects carried out by the government. When compared to other nationalities, they are far behind in many sectors, including Health and Education. This is a result of wrong decisions made by previous governments. They no longer want to be discriminated against. Affirmative action with regard to improving the living standards of the people should be included in the Constitution,” the leader of committee P.M.Muthulingam, said.

Proposals to increase electoral representation in up-country provincial councils are also expected to be included in the proposals by the committee.
The government is urged to restore the rights of Tamils of Indian origin who live in up-country areas, the TPA said. (Piyumi Fonseka and Kalathma Jayawardhane)

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Comments - 16

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:02 AM

TPA talks nonsense, to gain Political gain. Indian Tamils cannot be SriLankan Tamils unless they are born in SriLanka.

Desmond Jeromme Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:04 AM

Mr. Digambaram, first of all try to learn Tamil properly, and talk in your mother tongue without jabbering.

saman Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:20 AM

All Tamils have an Indian origin weather they want to say it or not and I am sick and tired of listening to that same old story of their segregation and degradation.

Thanos Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:26 AM

Just call them Tamils. My ancestors came to SL from Kerala over 600 years ago but I am not called Kerala Sinhalese or Dravidian Sinhalese, I am just referred to as a Sinhalese.

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:45 AM

That title addresses this community certainly better.

kan Wednesday, 27 January 2016 10:14 AM

There should be no discrimination. A Tamil is a Tamil if living in Sri Lanka without any prefix or origination.

karu Wednesday, 27 January 2016 10:16 AM

not only Tamil....all Srilankan are origin from India if you know the history

Ranjith Wednesday, 27 January 2016 10:25 AM

Mahawamsa says Yijaya came from India. Sinhalese also should be called by Indian Sinhalese by Veddas.

ANTON Wednesday, 27 January 2016 10:45 AM

SINHA - LE , KOTI - LE, ALI - LE , HANSA - LE, AND NOW KUKUL - LE. ......... EKEKUTAWATH MANUSSA - LE GAAVILAAWATH NAA..........

Shan Wednesday, 27 January 2016 10:57 AM

Well said

sinhalese Wednesday, 27 January 2016 11:43 AM

You are an Indian Tamil. Why should you be afraid or shy about it?

Kiriya Wednesday, 27 January 2016 01:35 PM

Always these guys create problems to us and not allow any god things to happen. Typical indian RAW workers.

Mason Wednesday, 27 January 2016 02:12 PM

The TPA is trying to mislead the Tamils. There is nothing wrong in being known as Tamils of Indian Origin, after all they came from India and settled down. Had the Ferry service continued, many from the Estate Sector would have left for India. Today there are many there who obtained Indian Passports, but could not leave due to the war and suspension of the Ferry Service.

vithura Wednesday, 27 January 2016 03:09 PM

Orissa is also part of India, from where Sinhalese originated. Learn history

billa Wednesday, 27 January 2016 04:09 PM

Well said.

Wes .kotta Thursday, 28 January 2016 01:35 PM

Call all Sri Lankans . Why should we separate our self .

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Don’t label us as Indian Tamils: TPA

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