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Tuesday, 15 September 2009

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New deal for estate workers

That the estate strike had been brought to an end for the major part should be a huge relief for the Government, given the impact this was having on the national economy. According to our main story yesterday a majority of the Plantation Trade Unions had decided to suspend the protest campaign as the estate owners had agreed to increase the daily wage to Rs. 405. A few trade unions though were sticking to their original demand of a Rs. 500 daily wage hike and are continuing with their work stoppage.

It is hoped that saner counsel would prevail and the striking unions would accept what has been offered for the time being especially given that the increase is as much as 40 percent. True, a daily wage increase of Rs. 110 is by no means adequate given the steep rise in the cost of living. However, it is equally well for them to realize that they are a lucky segment indeed to be still on a payroll given the large scale lay offs in many sectors in the wake of the world economic crisis.

It is reported that the transport of tea to the Colombo auctions from many factories have stopped. This can only exacerbate the problem and lose for the country its traditional markets that can only act to the detriment to the estate community.

The Government should therefore ensure a smooth functioning of the apparatus and get tough on the saboteurs who are obviously working to a political agenda. We say this because today there are certain political elements who are trying to stoke unrest and would not hesitate to seize any bludgeon by which to attack the Government and disrupt the economy.

The defeat of terrorism has now put these political elements bereft of slogans. Hence the desperation to seize on any opportunity to create chaos. The Government should therefore take measures to identify the disruptive elements attempting to sow dissension and discord and expose them to the public. Strikes have a habit of snowballing and this cannot be permitted at a time the country is launched on post-war rebuilding.

Particularly the Government should be watchful of attempts to disrupt the country’s principal economic interests. Tea has been our economic mainstay for decades, only recently eclipsed by garments. Those interests who failed to scuttle the war effort may well be targeting the economy in order to place the Government in a difficult situation.

This is not in any way to suggest that the plantation community should be left at the mercy of the estate owners.It has been their unfortunate lot to be led by the nose all these years by crafty politicians who disported themselves as messiahs of the thottam. A fresh approach is needed to deal with the plight of this segment of our population which represents the backbone of our economy.

For too long have they been thrown the crumbs while others enriched themselves at their cost including their so-called saviours. They should be rewarded adequately than kept waiting years to be paid a mere pittance as wage increase. On the whole they should be guided out of their dependent mindset and made to feel proud citizens living in dignity with the rest of the community.

True, the plantation sector had undergone large scale transformation under the present Government especially in the areas of health, education and infrastructure. But they should be given the opportunity and guidance to break out of their drudgery and venture into fresh pastures.

All these years the path to emancipation was hidden from them by politicians who manipulated the illiteracy and ignorance of this hapless community for their own selfish interests. Emancipation would have made them see through the charade of their political representatives and act all the wiser.

Hence it is gratifying to note that the President has taken direct responsibility to ensure their advancement and well-being bypassing all political layers. Hopefully this will pay off in the long run and help break the shackles of this community making them see the light. No longer can we afford to take this community who had a long history of slavery for granted, especially in the context of the new independence attained by the country ending a protracted separatist war.

There is a need to bring them into the national mainstream by providing them, with all opportunities and wherewithal for advancement. Above all they should be made to shed their seige mentality which had been cultivated over long years from the colonial era and made equal partners among the national polity.
 

IMHO and the LTTE connection

Indications of material support to designated terrorist group call for scrutiny:

The ceaselessly protean LTTE has appeared in numerous guises, using various names, creating and moulding the terrain to fit their agenda. TRO, White Pigeon, Illankai Thamil Sangam - are just some of its avatars. If shut down in one place, they rise up brimming with energy in another.

Full Story

Singapore and aggressive proselytizing

In his annual National Day rally speech it is customary for Singapore Prime Minister to praise the achievements of his Government in the past 12 months and raise people’s hopes for the coming 12 months. But, this year, to the surprise of many, he touched a subject that has been taboo for public discussion in this multi-religious nation of four million people for the past four decades-Religion.

Full Story

True teacher is a learner all his life

It was an emotional moment when Hasala and Aseni Ariyaratna, the two grandchildren and Prof. Nagalingam Shanmugalingam, garlanded Professor’s Portrait at the outset.The theme of the oration was “Living in Research with Prof Nandesena Ratnapala”. Prof. Shanmugalingam paying tribute to Prof. N. Ratnapala mentioned that he was a great scholar. He was especially a people’s man; meeting, observering discussing and living with people was the highest feature in his life.

Full Story

 

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