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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Estate workers air their grievances with PM More than two thousand five hundred estate committee leaders from the plantation sector extended their support to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse when they met him at the Temple Trees on November 03. Estate Committee leaders who belonged to Ceylon Workers' Alliance, Agricultural Plantation Workers' Congress and several other trade unions from Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matale and Kandy called on the PM at the Temple Trees. This was the first time, in their 200-year history, the estate workers had an opportunity to speak personally and air their grievances to a state leader. Speaking to the workers, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse promised them that he would appoint 3,179 teachers to the plantation sector, upgrade 400 schools,and set up a separate university for the plantation population. He assured that an authority would be established to speed up the functions of the Estate Infrastructure and Community Development Ministry. The Prime Minister said that he had already opened a Computer Centre at Bambarakelle Division recently and another one would be opened in Ettampitiya, Bandarawela next week. Pointing out that malnutrition was the main cause for lack of education among plantation children, the Prime Minister said that he would provide milk powder to the undernourished and midday meals to all school-goers. He said that language was a barrier to plantation workers. Therefore, he said he would appoint 2,500 Social Development Officers once he ascended the presidency. The Prime Minister promised equal treatment in the development of rural and estate sectors. Estate Infrastructure and Community Development Minister Dilan Perera said that Rs. 300 million of the fund allocated to the Ministry had not been utilised. He said this had showed the malfunction of the Ministry when CWC held the portfolio. Plantation Industries Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa, Healthcare, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Ceylon Workers' Alliance President T. V. Sennan, General Secretary S. Sathasivam and several others participated. (MPM) |
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