Minister Chandreasekearan submits memorandum to Indian Premier

Excerpts of the memorandum on issues pertaining to PIO in Sri Lanka

The Indian Government having given its due consideration for the issues of Indian diaspora, has taken a keen interest in their well-being and aspirations which our party appreciates.

The population of the PIO is 1.5 million in this small island and more than two third of them live in the plantation sector, and the rest are scattered and living among the majority community. Originally the PIO were confined to the plantations and very little social mobility had taken place during last two centuries.

But in recent times, due to the efforts of the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments as well as the structural changes in the plantation sector; some mobility has taken place among the members of this community.

But still PIO are identified as one of the most underprivileged and disadvantaged communities in respect of all aspects of socio-economic conditions.

In this context, India has concluded several agreements with Sri Lanka in respect of the People of Indian Origin (PIO). However, there is a feeling among them that the good intentions of these agreements were not fully realised and they were not benefited.

The Sri Lankan political commentators were also of opinion that the Government of India’s support to the PIO at the time of victimisation and hardships was not significant to safeguard the interest of PIO in Sri Lanka.

In this context, not it has become very important to build-up a fresh and fruitful relationship between the Indian Government and the PIO community in Sri Lanka.

It has become necessary for us to create opportunities for the exchange of ideas and develop strategies for the well-being of this community. With these feelings and trust we would like to bring the following matters pertaining to PIO community to the attention of the Indian Government.

1. As a result of the protracted war situation in Sri Lanka, as a Tamil minority community, the PIO, is undergoing several hardships and thereby unable to lead a peaceful life. We request the Indian Government to take necessary steps through appropriate diplomatic channels to monitor and ensure the peaceful and safe life for the PIO and other Tamil speaking communities.

2. We seek the moral support of the Government of India in our endeavour to preserve and foster the special identity for PIO among the Tamil community.

3. We urge the Indian Government to look into the possibility of providing opportunities for IT, Vocational and Technical Training and higher education for youth of PIO community.

4. We also seek assistance for the preservation and promotion of the cultural traits and forms of the PIO.

5. We have made very strong representations to the Sri Lankan Government to establish an Upcountry University with PIO identity. We seek assistance from the Indian Government for the establishment and development of this university.

6. We very much appreciate the efforts of the Indian Government to assist the establishment a PIO university in India. We request the Indian Government to consider providing opportunities for PIO students and academics in Sri Lanka to benefit from this university.

7. We seek representation in the PIO advisory council for our community which is expected to be established soon.

8. The Mahatma Gandhi Sabha at in the Upcountry has undertaken to setup a Mahatma Gandhi International Centre in memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Matale in 1927. The party respectfully urges the Indian Government to provide necessary assistance to make this proposed centre a reality.

9. The condition of war has caused enormous problems to the livelihood and life of the fishermen in Tamil Nadu and North-East of Sri Lanka.

We hope that India is fully aware of the adverse impact of the war situation on the livelihood and life both parties. As our concern spreads among the Tamil communities living through out the world the above matter also brought to my notice even from Tamil Nadu, India.

It is our request that India should play a crucial role in the resolution of issues confronted by the fishermen communities in both countries.

In view of the issues briefly described above we are requesting the Prime Minister to grant an opportunity to our party delegation to make a visit to New Delhi to discuss matters related to PIO in detail with the Indian Government.