Providing plantation community modern infrastructure, Govt's prime objective - Mano Tittawella

by Maharagama special corr.

Providing the plantation community with modern infrastructure and other facilities on par with people in other parts of the country is one of the prime objectives of the Government, said Senior Presidential Advisor Mano Tittawella when he addressed the gathering at the 12th anniversary celebrations of the Plantation Human Development Trust at the BMICH, Colombo recently.

Tittawella said a contented workplace was a sine quo non for the progress of any institution. Every institution was duty bound to create an environment for job satisfaction among its workers. They should not only be rewarded for efficiency but also granted incentives to increase output Failure to grant incentives and worker rights had been the major factor which contributed to the collapse of many State institutions.

Private sector institutions achieved rapid progress because they were very particular about worker rights and privileges. The Plantation Human Development Trust had shown excellence in this regard, he added.

Tittawella said worker contentment and productivity were two sides of the same coin. When the employer performed his responsibility as regards employees well the employees too had to reciprocate by performing their duties well for the progress of their institution complimenting the Plantation Human Development Trust for the excellent services rendered for plantation worker welfare in the spheres of health, housing and other infrastructure and sports and recreation, Tittawella said the Trust has been entrusted with the welfare of over 250 000 plantation families of 423 estates belonging to 23 plantation companies.

A batch of estate staff selected by a special panel for excellence in various fields such as estate management, housing, health, sports and recreation received special awards during this ceremony. Children of the members of the Estate Housing Co-operative society who had excelled in the years 5 scholarship and the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations also received scholarship awards.

Children, Plantation Human Development Trust M.H.P. Ferdinando made the Welcome speech. Estate Housing, Infrastructure and Community Development Ministry Secretary M. Vamadevan, Indian Deputy High Commissioner Rajan Pillai and Director General, Plantation Human Development Trust, Ranjith Ellegala were also present.