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THE PRESIDENCY - 4th Anniversary of the assumption of office President Mahinda Rajapaksa | www.dailynews.lk - Sri Lanka

Plantation sector makes progress with added benefits


Tea plantations.

Sri Lankan economy is def- ined by three sectors-namely urban, rural and plantation. During the past one hundred and fifty years tea, rubber and coconut plantations played a vital role in enhancing the economic base of the country until the labour market in the Middle East was widely opened for Sri Lankans. Although the Middle East employment opportunities bring the badly needed foreign exchange to the country, the popularity of Sri Lankan tea still holds an important place in the world, but the lives of the plantation workers did not change. They still languish in the line rooms built during the British rule.

Although these workers were brought from South India by British they were and are part and parcel of the Sri Lankan society. The Citizenship Act of the D.S. Senanayake government disenfranchised them and all the parliamentarians of the plantation sector lost their seats. As such the representation of the plantation workers in the parliament was denied. There was no one to raise the problems faced by the plantation workers.

It was only under Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Ceylon Workers' Congress leader S. Thondaman became an Appointed Member of the Parliament. During Dudley Senanayake's government S. Thondaman and V. Annamalai became appointed members of Parliament and Jesudasan a Senator.

Later S. Thondaman became an elected Member from Nuwara Eliya-Maskeliya electorate. During the later part of seventies it was possible for the plantation community to elect more members to be represented in Parliament.

However, this political development did not bring any changes in the lives of the plantation workers. Estates which were under the State Plantation Corporation and Janata Estate Development Board came under private companies. It ruined the plantation economy and estates were neglected. The private companies did nothing to improve the estates and other facilities.

When we compare the past four years with the sixty-year history of independent Sri Lanka, it is crystal clear that the plantation sector has seen considerable improvement under President Mahinda Rajapaksa. During the four-years of Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency more than three thousand teachers have been appointed in the plantation areas. This is a significant step as it will help improve the educational development among the estate workers. The success achieved in the field of education is such that a student from Hatton was able to participate in the International Mathematics Competition and won a bronze medal.

More than two thousand estate youths were given computer training within four years.

In addition, plantation youths were recruited as Grama Niladharis and appointments have been given to government institutions, including police stations, where the estate population could obtain services in Tamil Language.

Estate workers faced immense difficulties in obtaining National Identity Cards due to lack of birth certificates and other documents. This was rectified by the present government in a successful manner. The other important issue of citizenship was solved under the incumbent President. This enabled estate workers to seek foreign employment.

Housing schemes were started to replace line room systems which existed since the opening of plantations, thus the estate housing got a new boost.

In the past there were no bus services to estates but this long felt need has been fulfilled under Mahinda Rajapaksa. Buses carry sign boards in Tamil. The roads which were in a deplorable condition have been repaired for the benefit of workers and students who travel down to towns and cities.

In the past estate managements were entrusted with the task of delivering letters and telegrams. The age-old system has now been abolished and direct delivery of letters and telegrams take place. Plantation youths have been recruited in this field and are paid by the government.

Providence of electricity to estate line rooms and newly built houses opened wide vistas to the workers that enabled them to improve their living standards.

The other important aspect is the take over of estate hospitals. Already 68 estate hospitals have been taken over by the government.

The amount spent during the past four years on this project is Rs. 225 million. For the first time nearly 165 persons from estates have been trained as nurses in Batticaloa Nurses College who sat for their exam last week. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the authorities to appoint them to serve in estate hospitals.

Politically, up country people's representation in parliament has increased considerably. For the first time, estate workers were able to get two cabinet ministers. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's concern for the plantation community could be explained by the fact that appointment of

Ministers and Deputy Ministers meet the needs of estate workers.

The two cabinet ministers are responsible for the ministries of youth empowerment and socio-economic development and Community Development and social inequity eradication.

Both these ministries are responsible for the development of the estate community.

Credit for appointing seven deputy ministers from the plantation area goes to the President as he considers posts, estate infrastructure, education, health, national integration, justice and law reforms as well as vocational training are the urgent needs of the plantation sector.


The President's Words...

'The uncompromising stand of our Government is a firm commitment to a policy to safeguard national dignity, and not betray it. We have proved this over and over again. We wish to declare loud and clear on this occasion that national dignity means the non-betrayal of the democratic rights of the people of a country to whatever vicious forces - either local or foreign, whatever the circumstances.'

- at the 59th Independence Commemoration on Feb. 4, 2007 at Galle Face

 

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