MP raises concerns over ‘discrimination in post-cyclone housing aid’

Colombo: Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan met with French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert at his residence, accompanied by a TPA delegation.

During the meeting, Ganesan and the delegation informed the Ambassador that Indian-origin Malaiyaha Sri Lankans, particularly those residing in plantation areas, were among the worst affected by the Ditwa disaster.

They stated that these communities are being systematically excluded from equal treatment under the Government of Sri Lanka’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka housing initiative.

Mano Ganesan highlighted that, despite official commitments, the promised LKR 5 million grant and land allocation for every displaced family have been denied to plantation community members. He described the situation as institutional discrimination rather than mere oversight.

The MP noted that repeated requests for a meeting involving the TPA and civil society organisations with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address these unresolved, community-specific injustices have been deliberately ignored.

Ganesan urged France to use its good offices to press the Sri Lankan government to end the discriminatory practice and to ensure equal rights, equal resources, and equal dignity for Malaiyaha Sri Lankans.

He also appealed to France, as a leading EU member, to make land and housing rights for the Malaiyaha community a condition for Sri Lanka’s continued access to GSP+ trade benefits.