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by R. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

The Minister of Interior Affairs, John Amaratunga presiding over a function to issue national identity cards to the estate population, said the government and the Department of Registration of Persons have taken speedy measures to ensure that all citizens in the country possessed the N.I Cards. As a first project under the Hundred Days Development Program of the new government by March this year an appreciable number of estate workers will be the recipients of the National Identity Cards. He said his government was mindful of the fact as to how the plantation workers specially the youth had to undergo difficulties in the past. He said his ministry and the government has laid much emphasis on this vital issue as a part of the peace process in the country.

Hundreds of plantation workers were present to receive their N.I Cards at the function which was held at the Gamini Central College Hall.

Minister Amaratunga said the department concerned and his ministry has already taken measures with the help of developed countries involving similar undertakings.

The minister said he has already spoken and discussed matters with the Deputy Inspector General of Police for Nuwara Eliya, Felix Alles with regard to the removal of all barriers in the hill country, except for those vulnerable points, where such checkpoints were needed. He also said that police officers rather than being seated inside the police stations should go out and serve the public with a sense of courtesy and in a friendly manner.

Commissioner of the Department of Registration of Persons, Wijaya Ranasinghe said that there was no difficulty for anyone to obtain the national identity cards provided the required particulars were furnished.

He said when he took over the department as its head in 1994 a small amount had been issued. A district like Nuwara Eliya has 149 estates with thousands of people. It was a herculean task for the department to tackle such a large number. Hence he said that the matter has been resolved and the issue of N.ICs was done expeditiously and the commissioner sought the cooperation and assistance of the estate management to accomplished such a difficult task.

Mr. Raja Usuwetutuge, President of the Kandy Friendship Foundation which has been extending its fullest support in the issue of national identity cards to the plantation sector said that irrespective of what government was in power the important task of issuing N.I. Cards should be expedited to the plantation workers, since they the (plantation workers) undergo many difficulties when they go to Colombo.

Mr. Mayanantha Dissanayake said the UNP government will solve the problem of the masses and particularly the plantation workers.

Nuwara Eliya GA, Dhanasena Hettiarachchi also spoke. 

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