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by Maskeliya group correspondent

Estate Infrastructure Minister Periyasamy Chandrasegaran, said at a discussion held at P.S.E.D.P. Auditorium at Hatton, that the Estate Infrastructure Ministry was established to find solutions to estate workers problems and implement all development projects successfully. They have plenty of problems.

They have problems on their social, economic and political situations. My ministry will not function for our own benefits or political gains. It will definitely render better services in all sections. It is our bounden duty to work hard for their upliftment obtaining all government assistance.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has promised to grant me necessary funds for the implementation of all program to estate workers obtaining from many sources.

I have decided to get all assistance and ideas from all NGO's functioning in the Plantation Sector. Ministry officials have discussed all avenues with Government Agents and NGOs for implementation of the program. NGOs and Government Agents have studied the hearts and problems of workers concerned. So, my Ministry has decided to approach them and get their best kind of services useful to Estate Workers. How to implement and where to implement all our projects are the questions. We decided to approach the NGOs who render services among Plantation Workers. They are the real people who have been serving in their Education, Sanitary, Housing and Lands and all other social problems.

There are resources in the up-country. They should be made use for them. Estate Managements must co-operate with our Ministry in implementing our Development Projects and we have their advice and assistance. The employment problem has to be solved, for that we have to create more skills and train the youth efficiently. So, I call upon all NGOs functioning in the up-country to come forward to co-operate and implement all activities properly among estate workers."

C. Navaratne, Director of Education in the Estate Infrastructure Ministry said that the Ministry has identified several programs for implementation during first 100 days of 2002 to bring good result to the estate community. It will implement the following programs:- 1). Taking over of 4 more estate Hospitals and dispensaries and improving the other 22 hospitals. The Four Hospitals are in the estates of Protoff, Ragal, and Desford in Nuwara-eliya District and Dumbara in Ratnapura District. The construction of 3 more Water Supply schemes at Waltrim and Pedro in Nuwara-Eliya District and Elteb in Badulla District. 100 youths will be trained as CTB bus drivers, 120 youths for operation of Junior Machines, will be trained in Small industries, 200 women will be trained in Juki Machine operations 25 Estate schools will be up graded and issued with necessary equipment. Three Cultural Halls will be established. There are about 20,000 persons without National Identity Cards and they will be attended to. School Bands will be issued to five more schools. All these will be done in the hundred days program.

Mr. Deensdayalu, Director of the Ministry told that 40,000 model houses will be built in a long term project for workers, 100 Community Creches will be built, 126 Agency post offices will be inaugurated on Estates, 125 Creches will be established and at present 20 creches will be built and estate children will be looked after well. He shoped to implement all projects with the assistances of the Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries and NGOs in the plantation areas".

Mr. M.B.C. de Silva, Secretary to the Ministry made the welcome address.

Dr. Daniel, attached to the ministry also spoke.

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