Plantation sector makes progress with added benefits
M.P. Muttiah
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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