CWC extends unconditional support to President

M.P. Muttiah

[ Good times ahead]

* Old line rooms replaced

* Appointments for estate sector teachers

* Success in estates

The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) will unconditionally support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Election, said its President - Estate Infrastructure Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam at a press conference at the Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development at the Ministry Auditorium.

The CWC President said it was under President Rajapaksa the estate sector had seen enormous development.

He also said that century-old line rooms were being replaced with new houses. The Government took over 68 estate hospitals and appointed nurses. For the first time 3,179 teachers from the estate sector had been appointed.

The last batch of teachers were appointed in the Central Province recently. Earlier the estates were run by British and the managements looked after their welfare. Now they are managed by Sri Lankans. Since 2003 all the plantation workers were granted citizenship. Now they are part and parcel of the Sri Lankan society.

Estates have achieved considerable success in various fields during the last four years and the 10-year development plan could be fulfilled with President Rajapaksa’s re-election, Sivalingam said.

The CWC President answering a question as to why his party unconditionally supports President Rajapaksa, said it was not necessary to put any demands.

“The President had served as a Labour Minister and was also a labour leader. Therefore, he knew well the estate workers’ problems. He wanted to look after them. Once he is re-elected we would be able to put forward our requirements.

Three or four candidates would be contesting from the Opposition. It would serve no purpose to support them or put forward demands,” he added.

Sivalingam said it was CWC leader the late S. Thondaman who demanded that the estate sector should be developed. However, it was only now that developments were taking place. The CWC has already begun its campaign in support of President Rajapaksa in the estate areas.

The CWC leader pointed out that the CWC has full confidence in President Rajapaksa.

Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development Miniser and CWC General Secretary Arumugam Thondaman also participated.