Plantation Tamils
Subjected To Terror
During the recent communal
violence directed at the minority Tamils of Sri Lanka, the plantation
workers of Indian origin were subjected to an unprecedented degree of
terror. Mr. S. Thondaman who is a Cabinet Minister in the present Government
of Sri Lanka, and also the Trade Union leader of the plantation
workers made the following statement protesting at the terror and violence
suffered by these workers:
"We met His Excellency the President this morning to apprise him of our
deep distress and concern over the wave of violence that has been spreading
over various parts of the island, unchecked, causing untold misery and
hardship to various sections of the population during the past few days.
"We reiterated our position that the mob rule which seems to be the order
of the day in many parts of the country should be brought to an end without
any further delay, as it had already resulted in the loss of many should say
so that the people worth of property.
"In spite, of the assurance given by the Government, the law and order
situation had deteriorated as mob rule seems to persist and the people are
in a state of perpetual terror as to what will happen to them next after
what they have experienced in the past.
"The very fact that even plantation workers, innocent of any political
crimes, have been singled out for murder and mayhem, has created a feeling
among the people that the thousands of hooligans covertly enjoy the
patronage of powerful personalities.
"If the Government is unable to put an end to the mot rule forthwith, it
should say so that the people themselves could take the necessary
precautions for their safety and security of both persons and property: The
time has now , come, when the people, exhausted of all their patience want
ark unequivocal end to this reign of terror by thugs.
"His Excellency appreciated our position and said that he was carefully
studying all reports and that he would take all measures to ensure the law
and order situation in the country". Tamil Times, September 1981
