News
Malayaga Makkal are equal citizens of Lanka: Church of Ceylon
The Malayaga Makkal community, which over the years was referred to as the Indian Tamil or Upcountry Tamil community, for many years served as sacrificial labour, exploited and living in sub-human conditions despite being the backbone of the island’s economy.
The multiple forms of discrimination faced by the plantation Sector Community (Known as Malayaka Makkal) should be eliminated and the Government should take measures so that they could become equal citizens of a truly multi-ethnic and multi-religious Sri Lanka, the Church of Ceylon and a group of other organisations said in a media release early this week.
“As Sri Lanka celebrates the 75th anniversary of independence from colonial rule, the Church of Ceylon calls upon the Government and people to take steps to eliminate the multiple forms of discrimination faced by the Malayaga Makkal community so that they can become equal citizens of a truly multi-ethnic and multi-religious Sri Lanka,” it said.
On this historical occasion, the Church, as the Christ Community commits itself to journey together with this community towards its legitimate and deserved goals and objectives.
The Malayaga Makkal will commemorate two hundred years of their existence in this country this year, 2023. The tea plantations were one of the first foreign exchange earners for our country and laid the foundation for developments in the fields of education, health and infrastructure development that benefitted all communities in the country.
The Malayaga Makkal community, which over the years was referred to as the Indian Tamil or Upcountry Tamil community, for many years served as sacrificial labour, exploited and living in sub-human conditions despite being the backbone of the island’s economy.
We recall that this community cleared the treacherous jungles, courted danger and sacrificed their lives to firstly establish the plantations and thereafter worked under torrid conditions to make the plantations viable and ultimately a sector that was not only crucial to the country’s economic development but also an internationally recognized brand name for the country.
It is a matter of regret, however, that the vital contribution made by this community was not recognized and appreciated and that for decades the members of this community were subject to systemic discrimination.
The Citizenship Acts deprived them of citizenship; they were denied other basic human rights related to their dignity, privacy, economic security and educational opportunities. Though they have historically worked on the land, their rights to access and own land is severely curtailed.
There is a shortage of public officers who speak the Tamil language in divisional secretariats and other Governmental offices that are meant to cater to the needs of the people in the areas in which they live. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Tomoya Obokata, who visited Sri Lanka in December 2021, in his report to the Human Rights Council in 2022 noted:
“The Malayaga Tamils- who were brought from India to work in the plantation sector 200 years ago-continue to face multiple forms of discrimination based on their origin.”
The media communiqué was signed by: Rt. Revd. Dushantha Rodrigo, Bishop of Colombo President, Church of Ceylon, Revd. W.P. Ebenezer Joseph, President, Methodist Church Sri Lanka, Rt. Revd. Keerthisiri Fernando, Vicar General, Diocese of Kurunegala, Church of Ceylon, Revd. Sujithar Sivanayagam, General Secretary, National Christian Council of Sri Lanka.
News
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka holds a bilateral meeting with Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan
On the sidelines of the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit 2026, being held in Bhutan from 31 August to 4 September 2026, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held a productive bilateral meeting with Yeezang De Thapa, Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, on 03 September 2026.
The discussions focused on further strengthening and expanding Sri Lanka-Bhutan cooperation in the education sector, with particular emphasis on developing mutually beneficial initiatives through enhanced Government-to-Government engagement.
Both sides underscored the importance of deepening institutional cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration in education, higher education and vocational training, with a view to creating greater opportunities for students, educators and academic institutions of both countries.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to initiate discussions towards the finalization and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of education and vocational training. It was also agreed that the implementation of the MoU could be facilitated through the establishment of a Joint Working Group, headed at the Secretary level, with meetings to be convened annually to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation, and facilitate the effective implementation of agreed activities.
The major areas of cooperation discussed included enhancing collaboration among universities and academic institutions, promoting academic and faculty exchanges, joint research and university programmes, strengthening training and capacity-building opportunities for educators and teachers, and sharing expertise and best practices in the education and vocational training sectors.
The two sides also discussed strengthening child protection and safeguarding mechanisms, promoting ethical values among students, and addressing violence against children while ensuring their safety, protection, well-being and access to quality education.
Opportunities for Bhutanese students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in Sri Lanka were also discussed, with particular emphasis on Dentistry, Medicine (MBBS), and allied health disciplines such as Physiotherapy. The discussions further covered opportunities for postgraduate studies in medical and health sciences at Sri Lankan universities, as well as enhanced collaboration among universities and other academic institutions of the two countries.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Sri Lanka and Bhutan to advance cooperation in education and vocational training and explore new avenues for long-term collaboration for the mutual benefit of students, educators and academic institutions of both countries.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya had an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichhodzong in Thimphu on September 02, during her official visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The cordial discussion focused on Bhutan’s future development priorities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
His Majesty expressed Bhutan’s interest in drawing on Sri Lanka’s experiences and expertise in areas relevant to its development plans. The discussion also focused on promoting investment between the two countries, including the possibility of establishing an investment zone in Bhutan.
The two sides also exchanged views on demographic challenges facing Bhutan, including the increasing migration of young people and its impact on the country’s population and future workforce.
The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and sharing experiences and best practices in support of the sustainable development of both countries.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Namal Rajapaksa had been summoned by CIABOC to provide a statement in connection with investigations into the controversial Airbus deal. He was subsequently arrested by CIABOC after recording his statement for over 5 hours.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka holds a bilateral meeting with Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan
Prime Minister Meets His Majesty the King of Bhutan
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