Sri Lankan opposition parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake attempted to spark controversy in parliament on Tuesday after raising allegations concerning a cabinet minister’s daughter residing in a property in the United Kingdom owned by a member of the Tamil diaspora.
Speaking during parliamentary proceedings on May 19, Dassanayake claimed that the daughter of a serving cabinet minister representing Sri Lanka’s Southern Province was currently staying at a residence owned by a Tamil diaspora individual identified as “Raja”.
“The daughter of a minister who is engaged in higher studies in the UK is currently lodging in a house belonging to a member of the Tamil diaspora,” Dassanayake alleged.
He further stated, “We don’t blame ministers for associating with diaspora members but those in the government should mention that they are associating with them while associating with others. We have to reveal this information though we don’t want to disturb the victory day celebration.”
The remarks came as Sri Lanka marked its annual military victory commemoration, which occurs as Tamils across the North-East and around the world mourn the victims of the genocide.
For decades, successive Sri Lankan governments and Sinhala political parties have frequently portrayed the Tamil diaspora as a threat to Colombo, particularly as it continues to advocate for accountability and self-determination.
Tamil diaspora organisations have remained central to international advocacy efforts surrounding accountability for genocide, war crimes, enforced disappearances and tackling militarisation in the North-East.
The Sri Lankan state has also historically maintained extensive surveillance and intelligence operations targeting diaspora activism, whilst politicians across the political spectrum have alternated between courting diaspora investment and portraying diaspora networks as a threat to national security.
No evidence was presented in parliament suggesting any wrongdoing by either the minister’s daughter or the Tamil diaspora individual referenced by Dassanayake.