TPA raises land rights, resettlement issues with Australian High Commissioner

A delegation of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by its leader and Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan, met Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth in Colombo on Thursday to discuss issues affecting the Malaiyaha Tamil community, including land rights, disaster resettlement, and inclusive national development.

The TPA delegation included MP Mano Ganesan, Vice President (International Affairs and Communications) Barath Arullsamy, and Ratnapura Pradeshiya Sabha Vice Chairman Chandrakumar. The Australian delegation comprised High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth, Deputy High Commissioner Ruth Baird, and Second Secretary (Political) Matthew Lord.

During the meeting, Ganesan said the Malaiyaha Tamil community should no longer be viewed solely through the lens of its historical origins as an indentured labour force, noting that it has evolved into Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest ethnic community with aspirations extending to equal citizenship, land ownership, education, economic empowerment, and meaningful participation in national development.

The delegation also highlighted longstanding land ownership issues faced by plantation communities, stating that many estate families continue to live without secure land tenure despite contributing significantly to the country’s economy for generations. It stressed that access to land ownership is essential for housing security, social mobility, and long-term economic development.

The discussions further focused on families displaced by landslides and earth movements in the Central and Uva Provinces, particularly in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Badulla, with the delegation noting that many remain in temporary accommodation months after the disasters.

Ganesan also expressed appreciation for Australia’s financial assistance towards strengthening the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), particularly its digital mapping and technological modernisation initiatives, saying improved technical capacity could help expedite land identification and resettlement efforts.

The meeting also covered democratic governance, reconciliation, minority inclusion, and constitutional reform. The TPA said several commitments made by the current government on democratic reforms and minority issues remain outstanding and stressed the need to pursue governance reforms alongside economic recovery.

The delegation also briefed the High Commissioner on the proposed National Tamil Community Council (NTCC), describing it as a non-territorial representative mechanism aimed at providing structured policy input and parliamentary engagement for Tamil communities living across different parts of the country.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue and engagement on issues affecting vulnerable communities and inclusive national development.