Alliance of Tamil and Muslim Parties Urges Constitutional Reform, Provincial Council Elections in Talks with President
Representatives of a newly formed alliance comprising six Tamil and Muslim political parties met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday, where they discussed constitutional reform, the long-delayed Provincial Council elections, land rights, housing, and issues affecting Tamil-speaking communities across Sri Lanka.
The alliance highlighted several key concerns, including the need for a comprehensive new Constitution, the conduct of Provincial Council elections, unresolved issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and long-standing socio-economic challenges faced by the Malayagam (Hill Country Tamil) community.
The Provincial Council elections were among the central topics of discussion. President Dissanayake said that a Parliamentary Select Committee had already been appointed to examine issues relating to the electoral process and that he intended to engage with the committee to address the outstanding concerns.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran stressed that drafting a new Constitution should not be rushed. He said the process must be based on a broad national dialogue that reflects the aspirations of all communities and should not be imposed by a single political party, as had occurred with previous constitutions.
Responding to these remarks, President Dissanayake reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to constitutional reform and the abolition of the Executive Presidency. However, he said the immediate priority was to build a broad national consensus through an inclusive dialogue before introducing constitutional changes.
The President added that his administration is working towards building a country where citizens identify themselves primarily as Sri Lankans rather than along ethnic lines. He also reiterated his commitment to establishing a governance system that remains accountable to Parliament.
The meeting also focused on the Government’s proposal to provide estate workers and staff with legal ownership of 10-perch residential land plots.
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader V. Radhakrishnan welcomed the proposal, expressing hope that the Government would succeed where previous administrations had failed due to resistance from plantation companies.
President Dissanayake said the Government intends to incorporate provisions granting residential land ownership to estate communities when plantation lease agreements with the State are renewed before 2042.
The President also highlighted the importance of protecting the Central Highlands, noting that landslides have occurred even in uninhabited areas. He said a dedicated authority has already been established to ensure environmental sustainability while addressing the development needs of the Malayagam community.
Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) MP Jeevan Thondaman raised concerns about families who had received houses through Indian-funded housing schemes but continue to struggle with the costs of essential services such as electricity and water.
In response, the President said the Government is planning a new economic assistance programme in collaboration with the Thondaman Foundation and the Nevada Foundation. He also announced that increased funding would be allocated to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure in the 2027 Budget.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to resolving long-standing land disputes in the Northern Province and the Central Highlands, stating that land should ultimately belong to the people.
He further announced that funding would be allocated through the 2027 and 2028 national budgets to construct 13,000 houses in two phases for families displaced during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict.
The President also said permanent housing projects are being planned for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, while temporary shelters and rental assistance will continue until the permanent homes are completed.
Alliance representatives also expressed concerns over the Provincial Council electoral system, the work of the Delimitation Commission, and what they described as outdated policies implemented by institutions including the Department of Archaeology, the Department of Forest Conservation, and the Mahaweli Authority, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Concluding the meeting, President Dissanayake welcomed the formation of the united alliance and thanked its representatives for presenting the concerns of Tamil-speaking communities collectively.
He encouraged political leaders to address these issues within the broader national interest and to promote solutions that strengthen unity while avoiding divisions within society.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA).
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