Where Are the Hill Country Ministers? Asks MP Mano Ganesan
23-Apr-2026.
Tamil Progressive Alliance leader and MP Mano Ganesan has questioned the absence of hill country ministers from the National People’s Power government, stating that although the government has changed, the situation remains the same.
He made these remarks while commenting on an incident that took place in the Kawattha area of Ratnapura District on 22 April, where a homeless Tamil citizen’s house was demolished by violent individuals linked to the estate management, and innocent persons were reportedly assaulted.
Ganesan stated that in the Nilagama Estate in Ratnapura, thugs associated with the estate management unlawfully destroyed a house built by a homeless up-country Tamil citizen. He said he had personally intervened in similar incidents during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, but expressed disappointment that the same violent culture and racist mindset continues even under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s rule.
He said he was informed of the incident by Chandrakumar, Deputy Leader of the United People’s Front, and immediately contacted Kawattha Police OIC Premaratne, speaking firmly. A person named Nishanthakumar had reportedly been arrested by police on allegations of illegal construction. Meanwhile, a victim named Ganesan Vijayakanth was admitted to hospital after being injured in the attack.
Ganesan said he told the Police OIC that his party would deal with the housing issue with the President’s government, but insisted that the attackers must be arrested first and that Nishantha should be released on bail. Following his intervention, Nishanthakumar has now been released on bail.
He urged hill country ministers in the government to intervene immediately. He also stated that ensuring justice in the hill country requires two key steps: firstly, homeless people must be granted the right to build temporary shelters on unused estate lands, a right currently granted only to members of the majority community; and secondly, estate managements must not form violent squads by recruiting former military personnel. He called on the government to end such practices and ensure justice and rights for the affected people.
