IOT aiming to double representation in reformed Parliament

4 May 2015 09:28 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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The Indian Origin Tamils (IOT), who are 4.16 per cent of the Sri Lankan population of 20.3 million, are aiming to double their representation in a reformed Sri Lankan parliament, Indian Express said today.

As on date, there are seven IOT MPs in the House of 225 members. The community is aiming to have up to 14 MPs in a parliament of 255 members to be elected under a new electoral system which is currently under discussion.

IOT leader Mano Ganeshan told Express that if justice is to be done to the long neglected community, there should be at least 10 elected IOT MPs. Besides, another four or five should get in through the national or bonus list.

The IOT had lost representation down the years due to various factors. In 1949, when Lanka had just won independence, there were seven IOT MPs in a 95-member parliament.

But representation was reduced to nil in the 1952 parliament, because only 5,000 of the 780,600 IOT had qualified for Lankan citizenship under the 1949 Citizenship Act.

The population of the IOT subsequently got reduced because of the Sirima-Shastri and Sirima-Gandhi pacts in the 1960s and 1970s, which envisaged partial repatriation to India. It was only in 1988 that a substantial number of IOT got voting rights and it was only in 2003 that all of them got voting rights. (Indian Express)

Comments - 7

Liberal One Monday, 04 May 2015 03:12 PM

Disgusting racists

24 11

Nuwan Monday, 04 May 2015 03:29 PM

If 7 is not fair, then 14 is also not fair. The proper number should be around 10 -11.

12 35

Wildwine Monday, 04 May 2015 03:36 PM

Yes sure why not; why not make it 21 or even more?The biggest issue since independence in Sri Lanka was Mahinda Rajapakse family and their corruption; now that we have firmly and courageously solved this problem there are no other issues.Now it is just a matter of deciding how many members for each community in the parliament; have a better idea; why not we simply do away with elections itself, this will save lot of money. NEC can decide how many members from each community / party whilst ensuring nobody related to MR family is in the House. NEC can be appointed by the parties ensuring that every party is represented.There is no difference now anyway; NEC running the country whilst nobody elected NEC members.

5 11

rara avis Monday, 04 May 2015 05:17 PM

Here we go again.Parochial interest based on ethnicity.Time to assimilate all groups into integrated political parties on a national level.

5 7

Jeff Monday, 04 May 2015 05:33 PM

UNP under D.S.Senanayake govt. forfeited the citizenship of Upcountry tamils becasue they supported N.M.Perera. Then JR gave the citizenship to them becasue they supported UNP. These are usual in the political game play. But, No Human being should be treated like this way.

1 18

keethan Monday, 04 May 2015 06:44 PM

Ya correct.. all community r same in our country... 4.16 ÷100×255 = 10-11

5 16

Shan Monday, 04 May 2015 07:24 PM

What matters is not how many would represent in the Parliament after the reformed Constitution, but which type of individuals they are or they will be. Make sure not to entertain corrupted, looters, thieves, rapists, extortionists, uneducated etc.

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