MOHAMED ZaHRAN
COLOMBO : Malaiyaha Tamils, who have lived and contributed to Sri Lanka for nearly two centuries, continue to endure severe deprivation in access to adequate housing, education, and other basic amenities. Their long-standing hardships were further compounded by the recent Ditwah cyclone, which left many already-vulnerable families in even more precarious conditions.
In this context, the recent Thai Pongal festival on 15 January 2026 took on special significance. Malaiyaha Tamils, together with concerned social activists, observed the occasion on the roadside at the Liberty Circle roundabout, Kollupitiya—not by choice, but as a powerful symbol of their lived reality and an appeal to the conscience of the nation. The gathering sought to draw public attention to the persistent neglect faced by the Malaiyaha Tamil community.
The central demand articulated at this event was clear and dignified: access to individual houses, ownership of land with secure legal titles, and the establishment of new villages that ensure safety, stability, and a future of dignity. These are not acts of charity being sought, but fundamental rights owed to citizens who have contributed to the country’s economy and social fabric for generations.
It is hoped that His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is well aware of these longstanding injustices, will take urgent and decisive steps to ensure that Malaiyaha Tamils are granted the same rights and opportunities enjoyed by all other citizens of Sri Lanka.
