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'Plantation sector has made dramatic strides'

by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

The Secretary General of the Ceylon Planters' Association Mr. Malin Goonatillake, said that the plantation sector had made dramatic strides in the recent past and the Government too has positively embarked on creating an Agricultural Policy, which will include the plantation industry.

Mr. Goonatillake outlined the various progressive measures reached with the Minister of Plantation Industry Lakshman Kiriella, and his Association had made emphasis on Forestry, Land Alienation, Tea Sales, Asian Development Bank Loans, Diversification of Crops on uneconomical lands within the estates and the creation of three task forces for the increase of productivities mainly on tea and other crops.

The Secretary General said that Malaysia had made rapid progress with an agricultural policy and added that Sri Lanka, being an agricultural country such a policy was essential.

Mr. Goonatillake said with the Collective Agreement between the three major trade unions and the Management Employers Federation coming to an end on June 30, his Association and other bodies have met on three occasions and have positively reached some strategy with regard to the increase in the wage structure of the plantation workers. He said at the appropriate stage the outcome of such discussions will be informed to the managers of estates. Many planters said that even in such situations, they being the managers of estates become the target of their workforce, when there was no settlement with regard to their wage increases.

The Annual General Meeting which was held at the Grand Hotel was presided over by District Chairman Mr. M. Oshmand, the entire planting community numbering around 117.

They said in addition to several such episodes one such victim, Lal Perera, Manager of Labookellie group of estates was the centre of planters protests at the 31st Annual General Meeting. Lal Perera himself brought it to the notice of the house that a few weeks ago he along with his wife and small children were detained by the workforce for three days, without the basic needs.

The Secretary General of the P.A. Malin Goonatillake explained that his association took prompt action regarding the matter and more it was a tri-partite approach by the P.A., the Planters Society and the corporate companies. Hence, he told the planters that they should not worry about such situations in the future.

Mr. Dhamika Jayasuriya, who was the chief guest at this meeting recalled the ups and downs of the plantation industry and spoke on International Certification Requirements and its adoption by the Tea Industry. He said lots of dynamisms were taking place. He said there was no compromise in relation to quality products were concerned. He told the planters that their factories were the gold mines. Hence, they should do everything possible to improve their qualities.

This business magnate, quoting 'Benjamin' said the secret of success in life was for a man to be ready for his opportunity, where it comes and he requested the younger planters to do their best in their undertakings with hard work and a positive approach.

Several others also spoke.

The Secretary Theja Dharmaratne presented the annual report.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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