The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel

Madam Presiding Member, as a citizen of Sri Lanka and, in particular, as a woman representing the hill country, I am very happy to address this House today. Although independence was obtained in 1948, due to the Citizenship Act brought in 1949, the hill country people lost their citizenship and their franchise. Seventy-eight years ago, at the very time of independence, the hill country community had their citizenship and voting rights taken away. Today, I stand here representing that very community. I am happy to say that in 2024, I joined the National People’s Power Government. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the hill country people received their true freedom during our period of governance. As a reflection of that true freedom, for the first time, representatives from the hill country have had the opportunity to sit in Parliament. That is true freedom, and it has been delivered by our Government. The hill country community, who once had their citizenship taken away and faced numerous struggles and protests, has had many of its problems resolved within just one year and three months of this Government coming to power. We can say that confidently. For decades, the hill country people were treated as a subordinate community, used as a vote bank by politicians and ruled accordingly. Today, that community has been given the opportunity, through their own representatives, to secure their rights, have their needs met, and live as dignified citizens of Sri Lanka alongside all other communities. That is why, on the 78th Independence Day, the hill country community truly felt they had obtained real freedom. Over many years, they had asked for land rights, housing rights and salary increases; these have been provided over the past one year and three months. Even if not yet in full, the hill country community is now firmly connected to the national mainstream and is receiving the benefits that other communities receive. There are still shortcomings, but a community long neglected and left behind in education, politics and political representation has, within the past one and a half years, moved significantly forward. Some may still criticize and ask if this is enough. We still have four more years. The achievements of the first year are substantial, and we are working to ensure a dignified way of life for the hill country people—this will also be delivered soon. On our development programmes, especially road development, I should mention that two months ago we started an e‑library in my electorate and also initiated a mini‑government service centre. Through such programmes, we aim to provide vocational training to our youth and uplift the education of our children. Across employment, education and skills training, the Government is taking the hill country community forward. As a Government, this has been a year where we especially paid attention to our people. The Independence Day celebrated by this Government since 2024 is truly the Independence Day of the hill country people celebrated after 78 years. Development programmes, including road development, are happening. To uplift the lives of their children, we have laid the foundation and started the e‑library. We are also setting up vocational training so that training can be accessed where the hill country people live, and a mini‑government service centre to facilitate the small industries they need. Elevating their living standards and giving them a dignified life are our aims. Tea leaf plucking, which many in the hill country engage in, is a profession—it is not to be belittled. We will develop it as a profession, and also promote tourism and industry so that the living standards of the people of this region are uplifted. We now have a Government that treats the hill country people the same as everyone else. Through these national programmes, we have a Government that treats all communities equally, including the hill country community. That is the true freedom and true victory the hill country people have achieved. If such large programmes have been done in one and a half years, then in the next four years, by the end of five years, the hill country people will rise as a nation that has achieved great victories and enjoyed true freedom. They will shine in Parliament, in local authorities and in all institutions where political authority is exercised. We have opened the pathways for that. Thank you.