Bandarawela: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a significant step towards fulfilling the long-standing demands of the plantation workers during an event held at Bandarawela Public Grounds. The President declared that the government would ensure a daily wage of Rs. 1,750 for plantation workers within the year. This announcement came as part of a broader initiative aimed at securing both economic and social rights for the Malayagam community, a group instrumental in strengthening the national economy for over two centuries.
According to News.LK, the President participated in the ceremony to distribute housing ownership deeds to the Malayagam community under the fourth phase of the Indo-Lanka Housing Project. This project aims to construct 10,000 new homes for the community, with India contributing Rs. 2.8 million per house and Sri Lanka allocating Rs. 400,000 for infrastructure. President Dissanayake emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the community’s living standards, focusing on health, education, and eradicating the drug menace.
In his address, President Dissanayake highlighted the historical significance of the plantation community electing their own representatives to Parliament for the first time and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to upholding their trust. The President also expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Government for their support, particularly during Sri Lanka’s recent economic challenges.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Mr. Santosh Jha, who underscored the deep-rooted friendship between India and Sri Lanka. He reiterated India’s commitment to improving the living standards of the Sri Lankan people, particularly through housing and community development projects.
Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Mr. Samantha Vidyaratne, also highlighted the economic contributions of the Malayagam community to the national economy through the tea and rubber industries. He announced the commencement of the largest housing development programme in history to provide 2,056 houses to beneficiaries, with each recipient owning a ten-perch plot of land.
The event concluded with remarks from various officials, including Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Sundaralingam Pradeep, and Secretary to the Ministry, Prabath Chandra Keerthi, emphasizing the collaborative effort to uplift the plantation community.