TPA urges EU to link GSP+ to justice and land rights for Malayaga Tamils

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has called on the European Union to ensure that the continuation of GSP+ trade concessions for Sri Lanka is conditioned on measurable progress in justice, land rights, and equality for historically marginalised communities, particularly the Malayaga Tamil community.

The appeal was made during a high-level meeting between a TPA delegation and a visiting delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), led by Director for Asia and the Pacific Paola Pampaloni. The meeting was held at the Delegation of the European Union in Colombo and hosted by EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno.

The TPA delegation was led by MP Mano Ganeshan and included Barath Arullsamy, Vice President of International Affairs, and Prof. Vijayachandran, General Secretary of the Upcountry People’s Front and a TPA Politburo member.

Speaking during the discussions, Ganeshan said that while the TPA supports the continuation of GSP+ concessions, preferential market access must be tied to verifiable implementation of international obligations, including secure land rights for Malayaga Tamil families, elimination of discrimination in plantation regions, protection of labour rights, and inclusive national development.

He stated that the credibility of GSP+ depends not only on the ratification of international conventions but also on tangible and measurable progress in implementing them.

The TPA highlighted what it described as the continuing structural exclusion of the Malayaga Tamil community, citing persistent landlessness, intergenerational poverty, socio-economic inequality, and development gaps compared to national averages.

The delegation also expressed concern over the exclusion of Ditwaha-displaced Malayaga families from the Government’s LKR 5 million per unit national housing scheme, noting that they had instead been directed to the Indian-assisted LKR 2.7 million housing programme. The TPA called for equitable and non-discriminatory disaster recovery measures for all affected families.

The party reiterated its call for the immediate inclusion of all Ditwaha-displaced Malayaga families within the national housing framework, stressing that international assistance cannot replace the Sri Lankan State’s obligations to its citizens.

Ganeshan emphasised that recognition of land rights for the Malayaga Tamil community would be a concrete step toward demonstrating compliance with principles underpinning GSP+, including non-discrimination, minority equality, labour dignity, and inclusive governance.

The TPA stated that it remains committed to constructive engagement, while maintaining that justice, land rights, and equality are essential for sustainable national development and the credibility of Sri Lanka’s international commitments.