The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye highlighted the ongoing concerns facing the Tamil people in Sri Lanka in her statement concluding her visit to the island. 

Describing land, security-related detainees, and demilitarisation as the "most significant challenges relevant to the reconciliation process", Ms Izsák-Ndiaye said, "in all of my discussions in the northern and eastern parts of the country, where the Tamils and Muslims are concentrated, demilitarization, release of prisoners and issues of land return frequently and prominently featured."

"The continued presence of the military in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country is a subject of some controversy. I was informed about several projects by the Army aiming to improve the social and economic situation of the northern communities, which includes construction of houses for those who are still displaced, as well as income-generation activities in civilian service work."

"Although the Army is now less visible in public places, people spoke of how the military presence is negatively felt in many spheres of life, often affecting their livelihood. Worrying allegations of intimidation and harassment were also made. With the Army’s ethnic make-up being almost entirely Sinhalese, and its disproportionately heavy presence in the Northern province, the military is seen as an occupational force, which is believed to continue stigmatizing the Tamils as militants."

"While a proper mapping exercise takes place of all the lands currently occupied by the military, lands currently not in use or whose use cannot be adequately justified for military purposes must be returned without delay to their rightful owners in a condition that is usable. Where private lands have been acquired without due process or compensation, these lands must be returned and/or compensated for. Protracted displacement has also led to many conflicts, including between and within minority groups, also due to tensions between host communities and those displaced. Steps must be taken to address and resolve these conflicts. It is also important to remember that, while the post-conflict issues in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country are often seen as essentially problems between the Tamil and the Sinhalese, the Muslims, who were caught in between the two, and displaced in significant numbers, continue to suffer to this day. I must underscore the importance of recognising them as a separate minority group and give their specific circumstances and grievances full attention."

"The continued application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which affects the Tamil population disproportionately, has been under heavy criticism nationally and internationally for allowing for prolonged detention without due process. While the numbers are disputed, there is a significant number of those who remain on remand under the current PTA. As the repeal of the PTA is a serious and important step to which the Government has committed in the reconciliation process, I underscore the critical importance of any new law replacing this act to meet all the relevant international standards."

Highlighting the barriers facing Tamils on the island due to the lack of Tamil language facilities within state institutions, Ms Izsák-Ndiaye said: 

"Many of the Tamil speaking representatives, including the Muslim population in the Northern and Eastern provinces whom I consulted highlighted the difficulties of not being able to use Tamil when dealing with state institutions including provincial and local authorities, the police and the hospitals. I was told that most state institutions across the country use only Sinhala in oral and written communications. This language gap often puts Tamil speakers at a significant disadvantage with respect to employment, and access to various services."

"Similarly, law enforcement officers and members of the military deployed in Tamil-speaking areas often lack Tamil language skills. It does not only pose day-to-day problems and frustrations, such as dealing with traffic violation tickets, for example, but also widens the gap further between majority and minority communities."

Drawing attention to the deprivation and poor socio-economic status of Upcountry Tamils, the UN official said: 

"Due to hardship and poverty, all their socio-economic and health indicators are much below the national average, including infant mortality rate, literacy or access to water. Moreover, many remained deprived of citizenship, were rendered stateless and therefore excluded from any participation in public or political life until as recently as 2003. They also face problems of discrimination from the rest of the community in areas of employment and access to services, in part due to their perceived low caste status."

See full statement here.