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| Tuesday, 10 August 2004 |
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| Bandaranaike govts. helped plantation workers - D. M. Jayaratne by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya Minister of Posts, Telecommunication and Upcountry Development, D. M. Jayaratne speaking before a gathering at the New Town Hall exhorted them to take into account various development work undertaken under the successive Bandaranaike governments in the past and at present in relation to the plantations and its workforce. If this section of the workers on the plantations genuinely and seriously think it was the Bandaranaike governments that granted them many concessions including a solution to their citizenship issue and other statutory dues which they enjoy at present. The Minister and others took part in religious rights where over 200 Buddhist clergy members participated followed by an alms-giving. The Heads of Government Departments, Members of Parliament and other leading citizens and representatives participated. Minister Jayaratne requested them to identify various development in their mind and keep him informed of them and guide him and also his ministry's officials for the successful implementation. The Minister told them that Nuwara Eliya district where the plantations existed for over two hundred years have not made any progress for the workers and as a result, these sections of the workers remained in the same living conditions. He said the President was keen on changing. Therefore, he called upon the State officials and others to co-operate with the government with new proposals and ideas to the government and his ministry in this regard. The Minister said he himself hails from the hill country and was fully aware of prevailing conditions of the people living here. Therefore he added that their living conditions and new economic vistas be brought in. Member of Parliament Muthu Sivalingam said all development work initiated by Minister Jayaratne and his ministry should be given top priority to the plantations and the workforce. |
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