By: Isuru Parakrama
August 26, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has reaffirmed the government’s pledge to formally recognise and uplift the hill country Tamil community—now politically identified as the Malayaga People—emphasising that this recognition is not merely symbolic but a long-overdue act of justice and inclusion.
In a message shared via social media, the Minister described the move as a significant step in affirming the dignity, heritage, and rightful place of the Malayaga community within Sri Lankan society.
He noted that legal measures are already underway to ensure that this recognition is codified and accompanied by meaningful improvements to the lives of those it affects.
Minister Herath highlighted that government documentation, including civil records such as birth certificates, now reflect the designation “Malayaga Tamil people”, representing an important shift towards identity recognition.
He stressed that the community’s status as full citizens must be matched with tangible rights, including permanent housing, access to land, education, healthcare, and transportation—services that many in the community have historically been denied or marginalised from.
Citing the Hatton Declaration as a roadmap for these reforms, Herath underscored the need for a structured and deliberate approach to implementation. He acknowledged delays in the planned allocation of housing for over 4,000 families in the Bandarawela area earlier this month, attributing the setback to technical issues.
However, he gave assurances that the project remains on track and that the administration is committed to ensuring there will be no further postponements.
“These families have endured generations of hardship and systemic neglect,” the Minister stated. “What we are addressing today are promises made long ago—promises that must now be honoured without hesitation.”
Herath also noted a historic political shift in the central highlands, where, for the first time, communities from districts such as Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Ratnapura have openly aligned themselves with the National People’s Power (NPP) movement.
This, he suggested, is a testament to the growing trust placed in a political platform that aims to uphold justice, equity, and the rights of all Sri Lankans, regardless of background.
