Hill Country Tamils: UK urged to address colonial obligations

Mayilvaganam Thilakaraja, a former Member of Parliament for Nuwara Eliya and Secretary of the Hill Country Political Arena, has called upon the United Kingdom to fulfill its obligations toward Hill Country Tamils in Sri Lanka.

During a meeting with the British High Commissioner in Nuwara Eliya, Thilakaraja highlighted that the community, brought from India for the plantation industry, faces significant livelihood challenges. He argued that the transition from large plantations to small-scale land ownership—similar to the model used by Sinhalese populations in the south—is essential for their economic survival and identity.

Thilakaraja noted that rights acquired during British rule, most notably citizenship, were lost following independence, leading to displacement. He emphasized that the community has been neglected for 78 years regarding the restructuring of the plantation system, which threatens their continued existence and cultural heritage.