Enterprise Development Ministry initiative:

JEDB to be saved

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayashritha Thisera handing over a cheque to a family member of a departed estate employee. Picture by Thushara Fernando

‘The State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry has taken steps to rescue the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB) from its dire financial situation and to transform it into a profitable venture, said State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayashritha Thisera.

‘JEDB sources said they had recorded a profit of Rs. 12 million at the end of May. They spent Rs. 96 million to pay Employees Trust Fund (ETF) arrears and Rs. 19 million to pay the gratuity allowance, he said.

Minister Thisera was addressing a ceremony to mark the payment of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) arrears to employees of several estates. The estates include Bopitiya, Bohil, Delthota, Galana, Great Valley Hanthana, Hope Kandaloya, Kolapathana, Levalan, Loolkandura, Mahavila, Rahathungoda, Nagasthanna, Galabada, Rackwood tea estates and Kumarawatta rubber estate in Monaragala.

This programme was initiated on the concept of State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry’s Secretary Dr. Willie Gamage and 248 families of departed estate employees will receive gratuity under the programme. Rs. 10 million has been allocated for this. The Ministry will restart sugar and paper factories with the cooperation of foreign investors, the minister said. Cabinet approval was also granted to centralize all the institutes which are under the purview of the State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry, he said.

Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, Ministry’s Secretary Willie Gamage and JEDB chairman Danasiri Daluwatta also participated.