Minority Leaders Urge President Anura to Prevent Ethnic and Religious Intolerance

23-Nov-2025

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Representatives of minority parties urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to adopt stringent measures—similar to those used in Singapore—against ethnic and religious extremism while ensuring equal rights for all communities. They pledged full support for such initiatives.

They also requested that lands acquired in the name of religion or ethnicity in minority-populated areas be returned to their rightful owners, and that all illegally constructed buildings be removed.

The leaders further called for the release of all Tamil political prisoners held for long periods, and urged that at least on “Sri Lankans’ Day,” political prisoner Anantha Sudhakaran be granted a presidential pardon so he may reunite with his children, especially since their caretaker recently passed away.

This meeting, held on November 22 at the Presidential Secretariat, included MPs of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi—Koddieswaran, Dr. Srinath, Thurairasa Ravikaran—along with Mano Ganesan (Tamil Progressive Alliance), Selvam Adaikkalanathan (Democratic Tamil National Alliance), Kasthurirajan Mastan, Palani Digambaram, and Dr. Archuna.

Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganesan stated that they fully support efforts to eliminate ethnic and religious extremism, and emphasized the need to protect the cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of all communities, while nurturing a shared “Sri Lankan identity.” He proposed a cultural parade representing all ethnic groups during the Sri Lankans’ Day celebrations.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen observed that ethnic and religious extremism has severely damaged the country and contributed to its economic decline, noting comparisons with Japan at the time of independence. He stressed the urgent need for strong laws—similar to those in Singapore—to counter such extremism and pledged full support.

He added that measures must be taken during Sri Lankans’ Day to clarify or resolve matters related to Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Catholicism through the respective religious institutions.

MP Thurairasa Ravikaran emphasized that Tamil people have never been opposed to reconciliation and reiterated the need for action on issues previously raised. He specifically requested a presidential pardon for Tamil political prisoner Anantha Sudhakaran, who has been imprisoned for more than 17 years.

MP Koddieswaran stressed the need to halt illegal constructions and land grabs occurring in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

Other participants also expressed support for the national programme.