If an environment sans violence prevail Tamils who fled the country will return: Sampanthan in Parliament

Most of the Tamil people who fled the country due to threats would like come back if an environment sans violence is created in the country, said the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the TNA, Era Sampanthan, while speaking in debate on the Registration as voters of IDPs draft Act.

Elaborating further he said that he cannot concur with the Definition given in the draft act which means displacement caused by recent conflicts. The Tamil militant groups started their struggle only in the latter part of the 1970s. But the displacements had started as early as in the years 1956,1958, 1961, 1977, 1981,and  1983. The one in 1983 caused much destruction.

After that, Tamil people had been continuously subjected to displacements. The reason for theses displacements were the attacks made on Tamil people physically. Many of the Tamil people who had migrated abroad are remaining without permanent citizenship or voting rights. They are with a longing to return to the motherland.

The state services are in a degenerated state because a large number of skilled Tamil state employees were forced to get out.Opportunities should be created for those who like to return may return. This possibility will come only when matters like, Democracy, Human Rights, Rule of Law, Equality, justice, in discrimination, Equal status are taken in  Constitutionally. Chance for fulfilling this had come now. There are people who can think and act correctly inside and outside this Parliament. So think about doing these constitutionally.

Although we welcome this draft Act, we wish to point out that no attention had been paid on persons who were compelled to flee the country. They are without a country of their own. A peaceful and Violence less situation should be created here for them to return, he said.