Committed to integrate upcountry Tamils into Sri Lankan society – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the ‘Naam 200’ (We are 200) celebration, emphasised the goal of moving the country forward by uniting all its citizens. He stated that it is the current government’s policy to uphold the rights of all Sri Lankan citizens, regardless of their background.

The aim is to build a developed Sri Lanka by bringing everyone together.

These remarks were made during the ‘Naam 200’ celebration at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo yesterday (2), marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) people in the hill country. The event was honoured by the presence of Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was welcomed by over 5,000 Tamil people from the hills. The celebration featured various cultural elements.

President Wickremesinghe and Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for a project to construct 10,000 houses with Indian aid in the lower part of Mount Vernon Estate, Dimbula, Kotagala. Additionally, a new auditorium and computer unit at the Hatton Vocational Training Centre were inaugurated virtually, and school equipment was distributed to students.

The President acknowledged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for contributing to Sri Lanka’s financial stability, praising the support provided for the successful event. He also commended Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman for her dedication to the cause. Furthermore, the President stated that this celebration marks the beginning of a new journey for the hill Tamil people, and the government is committed to providing them with land titles and ensuring their right to education.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who also spoke at the event, recognized the significant contributions made by the hill Tamil people, particularly in promoting ‘Ceylon Tea’ and contributing to the development of Sri Lanka over the past 200 years. He stressed that it is the first time a comprehensive program has been initiated to fully integrate this community into Sri Lankan society.

Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman highlighted the substantial contributions of the Tamil people from the hills to the Sri Lankan economy and expressed readiness for cooperation in the government’s efforts to acknowledge and secure their rights.

Secretary of the Sri Lanka Labour Congress and Minister of Plantation Infrastructure and Water Supply Jeevan Thondaman emphasized that real changes are necessary to do justice to the Tamil people who have contributed their hard work to strengthen the country’s economy. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of India. The event was attended by religious leaders, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and various government officials. It received participation from home and abroad, including foreign diplomats.