Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe undertook a visit to Jaffna last week, where he told an audience of Tamils that “the majority Sinhalese and Buddhist people hold a prominent position” on the island, as he continued electioneering ahead of next month’s polls.
Wickremesinghe, who undertook several stops during his tour of the Tamil North, was addressing a group of Tamil professionals and entrepreneurs at the Valampuri Hotel in Jaffna, when he made the remarks, but added that “it is crucial to treat everyone equally, ensuring equality among ethnic and religious groups as well as between women and men”.
The current president has been a staunch exponent of Sinhala Buddhism, vowing to ensure it remains within Sri Lanka’s constitution to “protect and foster” Buddhism, and previously campaigned on a platform to build 1,000 Buddhist viharas in the Tamil homeland.
During his visit however, Wickremesinghe also highlighted the connection that Eelam Tamils may have to their northern neighbours in Tamil Nadu.
“We should promote both the Sinhala and Tamil languages,” he said, but went on to note “with the upcoming economic growth in Tamil Nadu, Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans will have opportunities that others might not”.
His remarks come as his government has ushered in a wave of Indian investment on the island, which has seen a particular focus in the Tamil North-East. For decades, India has been keen to build links to the region, with air and sea travel connections having recently expanded.
Touted next is a bridge, connecting Tamil Nadu to Tamil Eelam, a project that has earnt the ire of Sinhala nationalists.
“The people of Jaffna and the Northern Province have suffered for a long time, but this province has immense potential that we should harness,” said Wickremesinghe.
