Features

Disenfranchisement, landlessness and education in the Hill Country

Published

8 months ago

2025/06/24

A representational image

In a recent discussion with Hill Country Tamil teachers in Nuwara Eliya, a trade unionist said the claim that all have equal access to education in Sri Lanka, does not work for the Hill Country, because they, as a community, were denied free education for three decades after independence. Indeed, while we may be proud of the legacy of over eight decades of free education, since the Kannangara reforms in 1944, the dark strand in our history is the black hole of plantations without state schools until the 1980s.

In this column, I address the predicament of education in the Hill Country, drawing on the reflections of some of my former students based in Hatton, who are now junior researchers belonging to the Young Researchers Network (YRN). Through them, I have had the opportunity to connect with a younger generation of Hill Country Tamil teachers who have articulated the current challenges of education in schools. In their forums and seminars, we met a number of pioneer educationists from the community who enlightened us about the struggles after independence that were pivotal in changing the character of education in the Hill Country. Over the last year, YRN has also conducted field studies among the isolated Hill Country Tamil communities in the Southern Province. As I articulate below, education in the Hill Country cannot be understood without considering the history of disenfranchisement and landlessness that have excluded this community.

Citizenship, employment and land

The original sin of our country was the disenfranchisement of the Hill Country Tamils in the year after independence. The move to forcefully return them to India, despite many of them having lived here for generations, led to further devastation of the community with families being torn apart. To avoid being forcefully displaced to India, violence in the region with periodic pogroms and a famine with lack of work in the plantations, many of them sought refuge in other parts of the country, but only to become bonded labour in the rural hinterlands. This harrowing history led to the entire Hill Country Tamil community, including their political leadership – regardless of their varying politics and commitment to the struggles of the community – converging in demanding citizenship rights. That long struggle was finally resolved in the early 2000s in ensuring the citizenship rights of all Hill Country Tamils living in Sri Lanka.

However, citizenship alone did not ensure a better future for this community who had endured two centuries of economic and social exclusion. Sadly, while the Hill Country Tamil community, toiling on the plantations, had been the primary wealth producer of the country, it was denied the benefits of economic growth and wealth accumulated in Sri Lanka. Neither does this community have access to decent jobs and work, nor do they own land. The “total system” of the plantations – where the plantation companies have full control over a captive population as characterised by some scholars – has trapped these working people in despicable line room houses, with exploitative low wages and without avenues for other employment. A further crisis for the workers and their families emerged when estate employment began to decline particularly from the 1990s, leading them to seek jobs in the informal and service sectors in Colombo and other towns, and also leave for migrant work overseas.

Underlying this economic predicament is the lack of land rights for the majority of the community. Even though there is much fallow lands in the plantations, access to land has been systematically denied to the Hill Country Tamils. Even the land grants by the state for other marginalised communities in the rural countryside have not reached the Hill Country Tamils. This denial of land has been a conscious decision of successive governments, as landownership would break the captive character of their social and economic life necessary to sustain the plantation system.

While many of the people living in estates have been involved in vegetable cultivation and dairy farming for decades, the lack of formal land title means they cannot get any support from the agricultural department, they do not qualify for subsidised credit from the government and cannot access credit from banks. Indeed, next to the resolution of their citizenship and the advances in education discussed below, right to land has become the central demand of the community. If there is the political will, land for the Hill Country Tamil community is one of the most profound socio-economic changes the NPP Government could bring about.

Education and the current crisis

Amidst this harrowing history of exclusion and exploitation, the glimmer of hope in the Hill Country has been a new generation of educated youth. There are a couple generations of teachers who have emerged and are rapidly advancing the educational attainment of children in the Hill Country. Indeed, it is the presence of local teachers that can ensure holistic engagement with the students in their lived environment. A teacher living in an estate is easily accessible and can provide guidance and support on selecting A/L subjects and applying to universities. However, lack of facilities, such as school buildings, toilets, teachers quarters, as well as problems of access, especially the lack of transport in many of the remote areas, are characteristic of major infrastructure shortcomings. Furthermore, the lack of science teachers and the unwillingness for teachers to work in remote areas undermine children’s meaningful education. There is thus the need for further expansion of the mid-day school meal programme and other supports, including hostel facilities for secondary school children, following, for example, science subjects.

In this context, the recent economic crisis and rising poverty levels have led to an unprecedented increase in school dropouts and irregular attendance. This is also the case for Hill Country students in the Southern Province where they have to travel longer distances to Tamil medium schools that are few and far between. The socio-economic situation in the Southern Province, with even less formal employment in the plantations and irregular contract work, including in out-grower cultivation, leads to deterioration of children’s education over-determined by the economic and social situation of these dispersed communities.

On the broader challenges facing the Hill Country community, the struggle for land rights and sustainable livelihoods have to be linked to educational advancement. It is access to land that can strengthen food security, alternative income streams and a decent home environment for children’s education. This has been a challenge for subaltern communities around the world. In fact, MST, the Landless Workers Movement in Brazil, has an extensive educational programme, which also aims to strengthen and support land struggles. In many such countries land struggles succeeded, not because of top down land reform by the state, but due to the struggles of the people, including by squatting and actively capturing land. The strength of MST was to establish schools in those settlements and get families involved in both education and livelihoods. The challenge in the Hill Country now is to connect the free education system to the struggle for land rights.

The large army of Hill Country Tamil teachers have the capacity to transform their communities, but there is also the risk of bureaucratisation through our state education system. Given the social and economic status of teachers, there is the possibility of teachers becoming a class unto themselves, where they end up living in urban areas and becoming distant from the working people of their communities. This is where the participation of teachers in the struggles for land and housing and remaining part of the body politic of the community becomes crucial. The challenge before younger generations of teachers and researchers in the Hill Country is one of breaking the barriers of formal education and the walls of schools to open them up to the struggles for land, homes and livelihoods. The activism and signs of such progressive changes in education transforming the Hill Country can be an inspiration for us around the country to reshape free education in the country as a whole.

Ahilan Kadirgamar is a political economist and Senior Lecturer, University of Jaffna

(Kuppi is a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall that parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies)

by Ahilan Kadirgamar

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Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.