🤝 TPA Delegation Meets Australian High Commissioner on Malaiyaha Tamil Rights

A Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) delegation, led by MP Mano Ganesan, met Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth in Colombo to discuss critical issues facing Sri Lanka's fourth largest ethnic community (approx. 1.5 million people). • Socio-Economic Shifting Focus: Ganesan emphasized transitioning the community's focus from historical indentured labor origins toward modern needs like equal citizenship, education, housing security, and national economic integration. • Land Tenure Challenges: The delegation highlighted that despite centuries of economic contributions, thousands of plantation families still lack secure land rights and remain excluded from national land allocation benefits—stifling dignity and social mobility. • Resettlement & NBRO Delays: Discussions addressed slow resettlement for landslide-displaced families in Central and Uva provinces. Ganesan thanked Australia for funding NBRO digital mapping upgrades, noting that clearance delays currently stall safe land releases. • Governance & Representation: The TPA raised unfulfilled minority inclusion commitments by the current NPP government and briefed the High Commissioner on the proposed National Tamil Community Council (NTCC) to represent dispersed communities.