At a special event held at the Indian Cultural Center in Colombo, Mr. M. Thilagaraja, a poet, social activist, and former Member of Parliament, made a heartfelt plea for the recognition of Hill Country Tamils as true Sri Lankan citizens, rather than being referred to as Indian Tamils. He emphasized that it is time to fully accept Hill Country Tamils as integral members of the Sri Lankan nation.
Speaking at the launch of Tea Stained Lines, a book compiled by PEN Sri Lanka featuring the translation of 20 poems by young Hill Country Tamil poets into Sinhala and Tamil, Mr. Thilagaraja reiterated the community’s desire to live as part of a united Sri Lanka. “Our goal is to live together with all Sri Lankans as one united nation. We have every right to be treated as equal citizens in this country,” he stated.
Reflecting on the community’s long history in Sri Lanka, Mr. Thilagaraja added, “It has been over 200 years since the Hill Country Tamil people arrived in Sri Lanka, contributing significantly to the economy and development of this nation. I, too, am part of this community. We do not wish to divide this country or live separately as Indian Tamils. What we seek is the affirmation of our right to live with dignity as citizens of this nation.”
He also touched upon the historical struggles faced by the community, noting that “during the period of 1947-49, our people were not only stripped of their right to vote but also of their citizenship. Despite having representation in Parliament, we continued to face grave injustices and neglect, which deeply affected our community.”
Mr. Thilagaraja emphasized that even today, the rights of Hill Country Tamils as Sri Lankan citizens are not fully recognized. “We are still striving tirelessly to secure those rights,” he said.
In closing, he praised Tea Stained Lines for its importance in conveying the thoughts, aspirations, and emotions of the Hill Country Tamil community to both the Sinhala community and the international audience. “This book is unique in its role, bringing our voices to a wider platform and fostering understanding,” he remarked.
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