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by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

The New Secretary General of the Planters Association, Milan Gunatillake addressing a largely attended planters at the 30th annual general meeting of the Nuwara Eliya region, said the discussions with the government relating to important issues such as the changing of the decadent and outdated laws relating to the plantation sector, the forestry management, the Ad-hoc acquisition of estate lands, and the developments and improvements of workers conditions were fruitful.

He said the government and the ministers concerned, desired to have a long and short term progressive program for this important industry. The planters delegation which met the Minister of the plantation industry in particular pointed out the fact in relation to leasing of estate lands to the management companies, rental and certain discrepancies. He has given them a solution to this issue.

Mr. Gunatillake stressed the need specially for the budding planters towards their advancement in furthering their skills and knowledge in their field including the achieving of higher educational qualifications.

He hoped and prayed that the new government and its peace efforts in the country will usher an era of unity, progress and for a prosperous tomorrow among all communities living in the country.

The 30th annual general meeting of the Planters Association was held at the Barns Hall presided by its chairman Roshan Rajadurai.

One time planter and a keen environmentalist and consultant Mohan Samarakone who was the chief guest reminisced about the by-gone era and the present trends and social changes. He also called upon the younger generation of planters to expand their vision, courage and hardwork and meet the challenges in the country, for the advancement of the industry and its human resources. He said nowhere in the world have planters been called upon to take up such leadership and challenges in any industry or agricultural undertakings. He said the planters join their estates at the tender age of 19 or so straight from their educational institutes and having undergone the basic training for a few months, are put in charge of strong labour force, their families and children, and also asked to look after their social well-being and seeing to the smooth working of the industry, despite various other constraints.

He said these planters not only hold executive positions but are the caretakers of the whole industry. Hence, shouldering such responsibilities they should keep abreast with the latest scientific development in the industry, he said.

Mr. Roshan Rajadurai, the chairman of the Planters Association in the Nuwara Eliya region said that they are the custodians and recipients of a proud tradition and an unbroken legacy of a glorious industry which more than 135 years old. He said when George Bird opened up the first coffee plantation in Sinnapitiya, Gampola in 1824, and subsequently when James Taylor started his first plantation enterprise in 1866 in Loolcondara in Hewaheta, they would never have imagined that they were laying the foundation for a glorious and vibrant plantation industry that would be sustaining life blood of the nation.

He said the Sri Lankan plantation industry faces difficult times. And many of the issues were not of their own making, but the consequences of which they have to live with. Some of the current issues are the politicisation of the plantation industry and stiff competition from established producers etc.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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