Meeting with Switzerland's minister of justice, Simonetta Sommaruga on Monday in Jaffna, the chief minister of the Northern Provincial Council CV Wigneswaran stressed the need for an end to the discrimination against Tamils and expressed doubt over whether in the context of continued ethnic discrimination, the proposed constitution would benefit the Tamils within the present context.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Mr Wigneswaran said he had explained “again and again, the majority of [Sri Lankan] governments which came to power continued to pursue discrimination [against Tamils]."
"Until 1948 under British rule, we were all treated equally. We competed in everything equally, including examinations.”
"However, after 1948, these conditions were changed. After the Sinhala Only act was introduced in 1956, the ethnic discrimination began. Following this, many Tamil students were unable to enter in to university due to educational standardisation," Mr Wigneswaran said, adding that he had stressed that such discrimination continues today.
“On this background, it is questionable whether the constitution would benefit the Tamil people. I highlighted the point that in reality, if the majority assured equality for everyone, where everyone is respected without discrimination, the constitution would benefit the Tamil people."
Mr Wigneswaran also said he had highlighted the pledged repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act was yet to take place.
"The government had assured to repeal prevention of terrorism act. However, it still has not been implemented. There are reports that Tamil youths are detained and tortured in 17 regions of the country."
“Some of these incidents have been reported even after the change of governance."
Acknowledging that conditions have changed after the new government, Mr Wigneswaran said he had nonetheless pointed out a solution will only arise if the youth are released from detention under the PTA.
Highlighting the ongoing militarisation of the Tamil areas, Mr Wigneswaran said,
“I said the military presence in the North continues to be high. There are over one hundred thousand soldiers in Jaffna. Though they are suppressed to a certain extent at present, they occupy many acres of land and are doing agricultural activities on this. It was to ask for this [land back] that We held a protest last week."
"I told her that the protest we held was not against the government," added Mr Wigneswaran.
