COLOMBO : Full speech of Indian finance minister Sitharaman at the Public Commemorative Event for 200th Anniversary of Arrival of Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka held in Colombo on Thursday Nov 2
” I am delighted to be part of this milestone event NAAM 200 that acknowledges the arduous journey of Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) popularly known as Malayaha Tamil Makkal over last two centuries and remember their unparalleled contribution to the development of Sri Lanka.
- It is indeed an honour for me to represent the Government of India at NAAM 200, to highlight our continued commitment and unwavering support towards upliftment of Malayaha Tamil Makkal and their well-being.
- The Indian Origin Tamils or Malayaha Tamil Makkal were brought from Southern India, especially from current day Tamil Nadu, as estate workers in 1820s when the British first set-up coffee, tea and rubber plantations in upcountry Sri Lanka. Their journey was not an easy one, as they departed from the shores of India and landed in Mannar and other parts of Northern part of Sri Lanka 200 years ago.
- They had to clear jungles and lay footpaths/roads for travelling further towards camps in Matale and other upcountry region. Many have perished or could not survive the gruelling journey and their hopes of starting a new life never became a reality. However, your grit, resilience and hard work made you overcome those challenges and emerge as a unique, cohesive and laborious force, whose role is widely acknowledged by the Government of Sri Lanka and people abroad.
- Even those who may not be familiar with the story of Malayaha Tamil Makkal can appreciate your hard work through the globally cherished Sri Lankan tea, a major export commodity of Sri Lanka to the world, and contributing nearly a billion US dollars annually.
- On a personal level and representing the Government of India, I extend my heartfelt admiration for your indomitable spirit and take pride in your valuable contributions to Sri Lanka.
Brothers and Sisters,
- India has consistently stood in solidarity with you, offering all the support within our means. In 1923, the British Government appointed the ‘Agent of the Government of India’ in Kandy to safeguards the interests and ensure the well-being of Indian immigrant laborers in Ceylon. It was the only office of India in Sri Lanka at that time. Today, I am delighted to highlight that our Assistant High Commission in Kandy has completed 100 years of its journey with Malayaha Tamil Makkal.
- Friends, my Prime Minister most fondly recollects his visit in 2017 to your beautiful region in the upcountry. Commending Phase III of the Indian Housing Project – India’s flagship development project, PM Modi announced additional 10,000 houses for the plantation workers over and above the 4000 houses under Phase III. I am happy to share that the phase III is nearing completion with 3700 houses already handed over to the beneficiaries.
- I am glad that we are laying the foundation stone for the construction of the first lot of 10000 houses under Phase IV of the project today, as part of NAAM 200. This will remain a special moment for our bilateral relationship as well as personally to me.
Brothers and Sisters,
- In July this year, during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India, our PM had announced a special grant package of SLR 3 billion (INR 75 crore) for multi-faceted projects for the IOT community. Under this package, we have committed to undertake projects focusing on education and skill development, livelihood assistance, infrastructure development and food security.
- I am happy to inform that we are commencing few projects today – school bags and notebooks for students, solar lanterns for a reliable and eco-friendly power supply and stitching units for Women Self Help Groups.
Brothers and sisters,
கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்குமாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.
- Education is the only wealth which cannot be destroyed. Even if you have nothing but education, no one can stop your progress and growth.
- Education transforms, empowers, and enhances your social mobility. It is for this reason; Government of India has given special focus on educational support to you as part of its developmental partnership over decades.
- It was with this idea the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET) was established way back in 1947. CEWET is still going strong with over 700 scholarships being awarded to students for studying in Sri Lanka and India every year. We also offer over 200 scholarships to students of Sri Lanka for higher education in India.
- Taking this forward, as part of our special package to IOTs, I am delighted to announce that we will soon send Teacher Trainers who will work with local Teachers and abreast them with latest developments in teaching field and enhance their teaching skills to meet growing needs and aspirations of students from Malayaha Tamils.
- I am sure this Teacher Training programme along with other projects under the package will provide a holistic developmental framework for Malayaha Community and make an impact on their livelihood.
- Today, we are also dedicating the upgraded Thondaman Vocational Training Centre in Hatton to the Malayaha Community that will assist in enhancing skill requirements.
Dear brothers and sisters,
- You are the enduring bridge that connects the people of India and Sri Lanka. You have kept your bonds with India alive. Your resolve to preserve the culture and tradition over generations and efforts to uphold ties and connections with India are commendable and provides us confidence and vigour to further deepen the ties between our two countries and among the people.
- When Sri Lanka faced its unprecedented economic crisis a year back, we felt its our duty to stand with our friends in Sri Lanka. We could not bear the difficulties our friends in Sri Lanka had to face.
- Let me confess, myself, my government, and the people of India acted collectively and came to your assistance in record time.
- As Thiruvaluvar said,
உடுக்கை இழந்தவன் கைபோல ஆங்கே இடுக்கண் களைவத நட்பு.
- India rendered an unprecedented financial assistance of over USD 4 billion for the people of Sri Lanka. We were the first bilateral creditor to convey financing assurance to the International Monetary Fund which paved the way for others to provide similar assurances that formalised the IMF program for Sri Lanka.
- As a true friend, India continues to work closely with the Government of Sri Lanka on debt restructuring discussions as well as on its path of economic recovery.
- Our leaders have released a vision document for economic partnership in July this year outlining specific areas of cooperation for a sustainable economic development and prosperity for our people.
- Friends, I take this opportunity to tell you that our Government will work closely with the Sri Lankan government in realising the vision provided by our leadership, thereby further deepening our civilisation ties with connectivity as new focus area.
- While some of the connectivity projects have already made progress notably the recent commencement of passenger ferry services, negotiations on Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement and UPI based digital payments, which will be launched very soon, we are working closely on other identified areas as well.
Dear Friends,
- As we enhance connectivity between our two countries, we build enduring bridges of experiences and opportunities for our peoples. We weave a future with shared prosperity, overcoming the challenges of the past.
- I am sure the Indian Origin Tamils will continue to play an important role in weaving a shared future for our two countries.
- Let me take this opportunity to thank the Government of Sri Lanka for organising this milestone event NAAM 200 to remember the contribution of Indian Origin Tamils.
- As the name of event indicates, NAAM i.e. we, as two countries, will march together for a better future that fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our common people, across segments and regions. Thank you. Nandri.”
