TPA secures direct Presidential mechanism for hill country Tamil issues

Colombo, April 4 (Daily Mirror) - A high-level meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by MP Mano Ganesan, has resulted in a key administrative step aimed at addressing issues faced by the Indian-origin Malayaha Tamil community.

A key outcome of the meeting was the appointment of the President’s Chief of Staff, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, as the official liaison for Malayaha Hill Country affairs. Under this mechanism, the TPA will engage directly with the Coordinator to advance proposals, which will be escalated for Presidential review and implemented through relevant ministries.

MP Mano Ganesan presented a structured policy submission outlining eight priority areas affecting the community . Central among these was Ditwaha disaster rebuilding, where the TPA strongly emphasised that a dedicated housing allocation of LKR 5 million per unit must be extended to plantation sector families and implemented independently, without being merged into the existing Indian Housing Program. The TPA also acknowledged that, following its engagement, the Government of India has committed an additional 4,000 housing units to support disaster-affected families more broadly, reflecting a constructive and responsible international partnership.

The submission further addressed land and housing rights, including both residential and livelihood land; delays in Indian-assisted housing projects; the need for equitable and standardised and systemised plantation wages; strengthening Tamil representation in public administration and police recruitment; expansion of Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari divisions; and the conduct of Provincial Council elections.

On education, MP Mano Ganesan highlighted systemic challenges including the need for increased provincial and zonal directors of education, teacher recruitment, Tamil leadership in education administration, and addressing disparities affecting Tamil students in leading Colombo schools such as Royal College, D. S. Senanayake College, and Isipathana College, particularly the reduction of Tamil-medium classes and unequal student intake .

The President assured that these concerns would be taken forward through the newly established coordination mechanism, enabling structured engagement and time-bound progress through ministerial channels.

Commenting on the outcome, Barath Arullsamy stated that the appointment of a high-level civil servant, particularly the Chief of Staff, to directly address Indian Malayaha Tamil issues at the request of the TPA is a positive and progressive step.

He further highlighted urgent ground realities in parts of Kandy District, including Nawalapitiya, Galaha, Delthota, Hantana, Panvilla and Ududumbara, where plantation communities have reportedly been relocated to disaster-prone areas, noting that the President has assured immediate attention to these concerns.

“According to Leader Mano Ganesan we, as an opposition representing one of the most marginalized communities, we will give this approach a fair and time-bound opportunity. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders in the national interest. Even though our electoral support has been limited due to the trend, we continue to stand firmly with our people who have placed their utmost trust in us and pursue every available avenue to secure their rights, dignity, and development,” he said.