President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today met representatives of six Tamil and Muslim political parties at the Presidential Secretariat, where wide‑ranging discussions were held on constitutional reform, Provincial Council elections, and land and housing issues affecting communities in the North, East, and central highlands.

According to the President’s Office, party representatives raised concerns about the need for a complete constitutional amendment, challenges surrounding the conduct of Provincial Council elections, and land disputes faced by the Northern, Eastern, and plantation communities. The President noted that a Delimitation Commission has already been appointed and said he expects to engage in further dialogue on the issues.

Attention also turned to the government’s proposal for a new constitution. M.A. Sumanthiran, General Secretary of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), stressed that constitutional reform must be approached through broad social dialogue rather than rushed measures, warning against repeating past experiences where constitutions were introduced by one side alone.

President Dissanayake reiterated the government’s position that constitutional reform is essential and that the executive presidency must be abolished. However, he emphasized that more important than immediate amendments is the creation of a new people’s consensus, urging dialogue to build unity across communities. He said the foundation for a country where all act together as Sri Lankans has already been established under the present government, noting the absence of ethnic conflict in recent times and stressing the need for governance accountable to Parliament.

On plantation community issues, V. Radhakrishnan of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) welcomed the government’s proposal to grant legal ownership of 10 perches of land to estate workers and staff, a measure previously blocked by company opposition. 

The President added that landslides reported even in uninhabited highland areas highlight the need for sustainable solutions, and said a separate authority has already been established to address such challenges. He further noted that agreements with plantation companies must be renewed before 2042, with new provisions expected to grant legal land ownership to plantation people.

Housing projects under Indian assistance were also discussed. Jeevan Thondaman of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) pointed out practical difficulties faced by residents in paying utility bills despite receiving house ownership. He said proposals have been made to integrate the Thondaman Foundation and Nevida Foundation to provide economic relief. The President added that larger allocations will be made in the 2027 Budget for the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure.

The President said steps are being taken to resolve land issues in the North and Central Highlands, stressing that land must belong to the people, and noted that commissions have already been appointed to address these matters. He also announced plans to build 13,000 houses for war‑displaced people under two phases in the 2027 and 2028 Budgets, while disaster‑affected families will receive temporary housing and rent allowances until permanent homes are completed.

MPs expressed views on the Provincial Council electoral system and delimitation work, while the President highlighted problems caused by institutions such as the Department of Archaeology, Forest Conservation Department, and Mahaweli Authority continuing to operate under outdated policies, which have created difficulties for Northern and Eastern communities.

President Dissanayake thanked the alliance for coming together to discuss issues of Tamil‑speaking people and urged that attention be directed to common public concerns to avoid divisions in society.

Those present included representatives of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA). (Newswire)

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Six Tamil and Muslim political parties have come together to form a common political platform aimed at jointly advocating for issues affecting Tamil-speaking communities across Sri Lanka, while stressing that the initiative is neither an electoral alliance nor an anti-government movement.

The platform brings together the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA).

Speaking at the launch in Colombo on Monday, the leaders said the initiative seeks to address common concerns of Tamil-speaking communities living in the Northern, Eastern, Western and plantation regions.

Among the key priorities identified by the parties are urging the Government to introduce a new Constitution in line with its election pledge, ensuring justice, equality and meaningful power sharing, holding long-delayed Provincial Council elections, and resolving land-related issues affecting communities across the country.

The leaders said the platform would engage with the Government, opposition parties, civil society and religious leaders to pursue these issues through dialogue.

Responding to criticism that the grouping was based on ethnicity, the leaders rejected such claims, insisting that the platform was not a “racist alliance” but one that opposes racism.

They stressed that the initiative should not be interpreted as being against any ethnic community, nor as an alliance formed against the Government or in support of the opposition.

The parties said the platform would focus on areas where all six parties share common positions while continuing to maintain their individual political identities. 

Commenting on the initiative, TPA Leader Mano Ganesan said the initiative was not an electoral alliance, but a platform to advance a new Constitutional Process, early Provincial Council Elections, Land Rights in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and upcountry plantations, within an undivided Sri Lanka. 

Also commenting on the initiative, ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, said that it was the first time in decades that political representatives of the Northern, Eastern, Malaiyaha Tamil, and Muslim communities had established a collective political network to voice on agreed issues pertaining to Tamil-speaking communities.

“This is a platform where Tamil-speaking parties can raise a common voice on issues that affect us all. It is not an alliance. Each party remains free to hold its own political views, but where there is common ground, we will work together because a united voice carries greater strength,” he said. (Newswire)

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An exhibition and mural painting by Tamil and Muslim women from the North and East was held in Jaffna on Friday (31), to mark 35 years since the forced expulsion of Muslims from the North by the LTTE.

The exhibition, organised by the Alliance for Minorities and the Chelvanayaham Memorial Trust, was also held in Mannar this week, while it will be held in Kilinochchi on Sunday (02 Nov). 

The event was organized to commemorate the forced expulsion of the Muslim population from the Northern Province by the LTTE militant group in October 1990. 

The expulsions occurred rapidly between October 15 and 30, 1990, and an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 Muslims were reportedly driven from their homes in the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and parts of Vavuniya.

The ousted Muslim population sought refuge primarily in the Puttalam district, as well as in other areas like Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo, while some remain displaced to date.

Meanwhile, the Forcibly Evicted Association-1990 organized a peaceful “Black October 2025” remembrance gathering in Puttalam on Friday (31), marking 35 years since the forced expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province by the LTTE in October 1990.

According to a statement from the Association, the event brought together displaced families, community leaders, youth representatives, and social activists to remember the suffering endured by Northern Muslims and to reaffirm their continued demand for justice, resettlement, and restoration of land rights.

Participants held placards and banners calling attention to the ongoing plight of those who were expelled in 1990 and are still living in displacement. They urged the government to recognize their historical injustice and take meaningful steps to ensure permanent housing, land ownership, and livelihood opportunities for the affected families.

Speakers emphasized that while decades have passed, the struggle for equality and dignity continues. The gathering served as a reminder that reconciliation is incomplete without addressing the grievances of those who lost everything during the 1990 expulsion.

The Forcibly Evicted Association further reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for truth, justice, and restoration, ensuring that future generations will remember this dark chapter of history and work together for lasting peace and coexistence. (Newswire)

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Channa Jayasumana, the former State Minister of Health under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime, states he was against the decision to cremate the bodies of Muslim COVID victims.

Speaking during a televised debate, Channa Jayasumana said the decision to deny burials to Muslim COVID victims was taken based on Military intelligence, citing a security threat.

Channa Jayasumana said from the beginning, he was against denying burial and had also conveyed this to the then COVID Task Force.

“As a Science expert, I was of the view that the virus cannot survive in a dead body. So burials as per their religious practice would not be an issue. I spoke on this behalf and even gave media briefings,” he said.

The former State Minister said, however, that Military intelligence had warned against allowing burials, citing this could give rise to other threats including religious tensions.

Stating that such tensions could not arise during a pandemic, he said he was also of the view that cremating the bodies of Muslim COVID victims was not a suitable move and that he had called for burials to be allowed per their religious practice.

“However, my suggestion was defeated. We were forced to remain silent because the Military Intelligence warned that burials could bring other adverse results,” he said. 

Channa Jayasumana pointed out that regrettably, news reports are completely misrepresenting his stance, adding that the reports are the exact opposite of his beliefs. (Newswire)

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Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman has extended his apologies to the Muslim community for the mandatory cremation policy enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic under the previous Government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. 

The apology came during an Ifthar gathering held in Hatton town on Tuesday (Apr 02), hosted by Minister Thondaman, during which he acknowledged the distress the policy had caused among the Muslim community. 

Although having assumed duties in January last year, the minister said it was still important that as the present Minister responsible for water, to take responsibility irrespective of who was in his place before. 

Minister Thondaman added that he will soon be submitting a Cabinet paper together with the findings of the study to seek a formal apology from the Government for the harm and hurt caused to especially the Muslim community by the forced cremation policy. 

According to a statement from Minister Jeevan Thondaman’s Office, the forced creation policy under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was driven by concerns that the burial of COVID-19 victims could contaminate water supplies. This was despite several scientific opinions, including that of the World Health Organisation, refuting that claim.

The previous Government’s position has now been challenged and refuted by new scientific findings of a study led by experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and an update to it by the Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology (JRDC) at the University of Peradeniya, a centre under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, he said. The update to the original study was done on the instructions of Minister Thondaman after becoming the subject Minister last year.  

The first study, led by experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and financially supported by the Ministry of Water Supply, investigated the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in surface and wastewater across various locations in Sri Lanka. Conducted between August and December 2021, this research aimed to assess the risk of viral transmission through water, a concern that originally motivated the cremation mandate.

Complementing this, a comprehensive review study by the JRDC analysed the effects of COVID-19-infected bodies’ burial on groundwater contamination. Published this year (2024), this review concluded there was no risk to groundwater pollution from properly conducted burials during the pandemic. The study emphasised that proper burial procedures, including deep burial in sealed body bags, effectively mitigated any risk of environmental contamination. 

The study also highlighted that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in various water sources did not stem from burial practices but rather from the faeces and urine of infected individuals, further debunking the initial assumptions that underpinned the cremation policy.

Minister Thondaman’s apology marks a critical step towards healing the wounds inflicted by the pandemic’s divisive policies, reaffirming the Government’s dedication to evidence-based decision-making and respect for all cultural and religious practices in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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