Turn promises into justice for Malayaga people: Barath Arullsamy urges President

Colombo, October 21 (Daily Mirror)- Barath Arullsamy, Vice President of the Democratic People’s Front and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), commended the President for inaugurating the second phase of the 10,000-housing project funded by the Government of India, while candidly asserting that “nothing concrete has been done for the Malayaga community during the past year.”

In an open letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Arullsamy acknowledged the symbolic importance of the President personally launching the Indian-funded housing initiative in the plantation sector, but stressed that “at least now, the Government has continued what we began during the previous administration.”

Commending the Continuation of Indian Housing Projects In his letter, Arullsamy recalled that during the period of Good Governance, upon the request of the TPA, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged an additional 10,000 houses for the plantation sector community.

The first phase of 1,300 houses under the Bharat–Lanka Housing Project was initiated by the previous government, and the current launch of 2,056 houses under the second phase is described by Arullsamy as “a historic and symbolic milestone.”

However, he cautioned that the initiative must translate into full ownership and permanent rights. Referring to the recent Bandarawela event, where more than 200 housing documents were distributed, Arullsamy clarified ongoing public confusion regarding whether these were title deeds or confirmation letters.

“I took the initiative to work on a deed regularisation programme for all houses built on plantations under both government and Indian grant schemes. For decades, these housing rights were denied due to complex legal disputes between the State, Regional Plantation Companies, and the beneficiaries. Through extensive consultations with a team of legal experts, we resolved these issues, making nearly 1,000 deeds fully free.

It is commendable that Your Excellency has now issued over 200 deeds. We started this as a pilot project in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale, and I strongly urge you to expand this initiative to all plantation regions and convert those estates into independent villages, allowing plantation workers to live as equal Sri Lankans.”

Highlighting Historic Injustice and President’s Acknowledgement, Arullsamy described the President’s public recognition of the social condition of the Malayaga people as “a defining moral moment.”

“What stood out most in your remarks was your candid acknowledgement that the people of the Malayagam remain at the lowest rung of the social hierarchy compared to other communities. If such a statement had been made by you as a member of the opposition or a political figure, it might have been dismissed as rhetoric. But when a President, empowered by executive authority, heading a government with more than a two-thirds majority, and commanding over half of the local bodies in the country, speaks in such a way, it carries deep national significance,” Arullsamy wrote.

He went on to remind that the Malayaga Tamil community has endured decades of systemic neglect, tracing their journey from statelessness to survival.

“Although our nation gained independence in 1948, our community was betrayed and marginalised by chauvinistic and opportunistic forces. We became stateless in our own country, repatriated and displaced from our lands, and subjected to ethnic violence and devastation. Land reclamation, privatisation, and various economic legislations further suppressed our people. Even the Anti-Indian policy of the past had its harshest impact on us. Yet, despite these challenges, our community has risen through resilience, contributing to every sphere of national life. Your Excellency must never forget that our people are not inferior to anyone, nor do we seek pity. We seek not sympathy, but equality — the rightful recognition of our people as a national community within this Republic.”

Raising concerns over lack of progress , he urged Policy Continuity While extending warm appreciation for the President’s leadership.

Arullsamy emphasised that no substantial progress has been made for the Malayaga Tamil community in the past year.

“Our people have not yet seen meaningful transformation on the ground. The promises of inclusion must be matched with visible results,” he stated.

He recalled that during his previous tenure, groundwork had already been laid in education, wages, healthcare, and land regularisation, and urged the current administration to accelerate these pending reforms.

The letter drew attention to the persistent education gap in the hill country, stressing that school dropouts stem from economic hardship rather than disinterest.

“The majority of Malayaga Tamils depend on plantation labour for survival. The rising cost of living and inflation have deeply affected their children’s education and well-being,” he said.

Regarding wages, Arullsamy described the President’s Rs. 1,750 wage increment as a “commendable but insufficient” step.

“This figure was proposed two years ago and remains inadequate even today. Such increments must be part of the basic wage, not temporary allowances or incentives based on the quantity of tea plucked or the work completed,” he asserted.

He reiterated the TPA’s long-standing proposal to transform tea estate workers into tea partners and smallholders, a model President Dissanayake had himself endorsed during his election campaign in Talawakelle.

“This transformation will empower workers with ownership and dignity. We urge you to begin implementation within state-managed plantations under your administration,” Arullsamy said.

Commending the President’s mention of healthcare and clean water access, Arullsamy reminded that ten estate hospitals had already received Cabinet approval for staffing and medical resources through his initiative under the previous government. However, that decision remains unimplemented.

“Once operationalised, this will mark a major leap in healthcare delivery. We have also upgraded three major estate hospitals into cluster medical centres under the Public–Private Partnership model, an initiative that deserves your continued support,” he noted.

He also pointed out that, despite the implementation of over 20 World Bank-assisted water supply projects in plantation areas, many estates still lack adequate access to water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Your direct intervention can ensure that plantation communities are not left behind in Sri Lanka’s national development agenda,” he urged.

In conclusion, Arullsamy reaffirmed that the Tamil Progressive Alliance, led by Leader Mano Ganesan, MP, will continue to act responsibly, supporting progressive measures while ensuring accountability.

“The TPA, under the leadership of Hon. Mano Ganesan, will always be supportive of the Government in all progressive initiatives. However, if there is any misdirection, we will responsibly question, propose alternatives, and ensure that the Government remains accountable to the people, as the party holding the highest democratic mandate of the Malayaga people,” the letter said.

Arullsamy expressed optimism that President Dissanayake’s tenure could become a turning point for the Hill Country Tamil community, if his words are followed by decisive action.

“The day our community can proudly say, ‘We too are Sri Lankans,’ will mark the true completion of this nation’s journey toward equality and justice,” Arullsamy concluded.