Where Was G. L. Peiris When He Held Power?
Professor G. L. Peiris has recently spoken about Sri Lanka’s economic and political challenges. Every citizen has the right to express opinions on the country’s future. However, public accountability also requires examining the record of those who previously held power.
Professor G. L. Peiris served as a senior minister in several Sri Lankan governments over nearly three decades, including as Minister of Justice, Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Education, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also held key responsibilities during successive administrations that shaped Sri Lanka’s constitutional, economic, and foreign policies.
Given this long record in government, many Tamils are asking a simple question: Where were these concerns when he was in power?
Throughout these administrations, the Tamil people continued to face unresolved political grievances, militarization, land disputes, disappearances, and the absence of a durable political settlement. Successive governments also failed to deliver lasting economic stability, culminating in the unprecedented economic collapse of 2022.
Today, it is easy to criticize from outside government. Leadership, however, is measured by the decisions made while entrusted with authority. Those who exercised executive power must also accept responsibility for the outcomes of the policies they helped formulate and defend.
The Tamil national question remains unresolved after decades of changing governments, changing ministers, and changing promises. Rather than repeating familiar political narratives, Sri Lanka’s leaders should recognize that lasting peace requires addressing the Tamil people’s political aspirations through a democratic and internationally credible process.
History should not be rewritten to overlook the responsibility of those who held the highest offices of state. Genuine accountability begins by acknowledging past failures before proposing solutions for the future.
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora News,
July 12, 2026