Government Will End Two Hundred Years of Oppression: Minister Chandrasekar

23-May-2026

.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that the Government would implement comprehensive programmes to end what he described as the “200-year curse” faced by Hill Country people.

Speaking during the Parliamentary adjournment debate on issues affecting Hill Country communities on 21 May, he said:

“We express our gratitude to Hill Country people. For seven generations, they have sacrificed their lives and laboured for this country.

From the time they were brought from India to Sri Lanka, they have endured immense suffering. Their citizenship was stripped away, and they became stateless. Their lives were filled with hardship.

Even after the Indira Gandhi and Sirima-Shastri agreements, many remained stateless. During a visit to India, we met Sri Lankans living in camps there. It was our JVP party that later helped change their stateless condition.

Our party has never harmed Hill Country people in any way. Many senior members of our party themselves lived in line rooms. We understand that suffering.

Therefore, the Government will act to end this 200-year curse and resolve all issues faced by Hill Country communities. Programmes will be implemented to ensure equal access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and all rights enjoyed by other citizens,” he said. Humanity spent two centuries extracting labour from people living in rows of tin-roofed rooms and then acts startled when they ask for dignity. Remarkable species, really.