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by Maskeliya Group Corr. :

At a time when the future of 1.5 million estate workers has plunged into uncertainty, two main forces of the sector - the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and the Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF) - joined hands to bring new expectations, said CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman addressing a rally in Maskeliya.

The estate workers are the backbone of the country's economy. Therefore this vulnerable and powerful sector of the country should not be divided. Division is not the way to achieve goals, Thondaman said.

"Many people are querying why we joined the UNP. We had long discussions regarding our demands. I must tell you that we are only with the UNP symbol and nothing more than that," he said.

"The Upcountry is not only seeking the rights and a better life for estate workers, but also awaiting a massive development project. The estate workers love to see a country where they can live happily and peacefully and also treat them equally."

"Though I was the Minister in-charge, I only came to know through the media of the fact there had been a large sum of money allocated to my Ministry for development purposes. There were accusations levelled against me by some sections alleging that I have not utilised a large sum of money allocated to my Ministry during the past one year period. I owe an explanation to the public on this matter. It is true that half the allocation returned to the Treasury. The reason behind this incident was a circular from the Presidential Secretariat asking us to halt all the development projects for a period of six months - till October. The dissolution happened in this particular month of October."

The CWC rendered its fullest support to the PA during its tenure in office, he said. "I must be thankful to the President for honouring my grand father. Personally I have a great respect on her," he added.

UPF leader P. Chandrasekaran told the meeting that two rival groups had become friends contesting under one banner to win the demands of the estate Tamils.

"This is a common phenomenon today. If we want to win our demands we should be united. We can have a good example from the North. Almost all Tamil speaking parties in the North are united today and are contesting under one banner," he said.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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