Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, M.P.

United National Party (UNP)· Nuwara - Eliya

Profession: ---

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Speeches 58 #85 of 225·#1 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

58 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Jeevan Thondaman questioned the need for emergency powers and alleged that plantation workers are not properly receiving wage increases, calling for direct payment mechanisms, enforcement against estate companies, and a monitoring committee for government allocations to large estates. He disputed government claims on hill-country housing, saying an India-funded scheme had already been revived and approved under his tenure but was delayed after the change of government due to beneficiary-list changes, and claimed no promised new houses had yet been built. He also called for a Parliamentary Select Committee, involving party leaders and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, to address child abuse following the alleged rape of an 11-year-old linked to a religious institution. He further criticized selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and reiterated concerns over increased workloads and targets for plantation workers. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Women & ChildrenEmploymentJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to respond to grievances in Wevenden following the Ditwah cyclone, stating that residents were protesting over unanswered letters and needed practical solutions rather than political intervention. He called for implementation of Cabinet-approved land rights for hill-country people and asked that plantation wage issues be addressed through the Wages Board so companies could not avoid compliance. He also requested the President’s intervention to resolve the Wevenden concerns. Oral Questions 1-10 EnvironmentLand & HousingEmployment Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman stated that his intention was not to criticize, but suggested that the matter could be streamlined if handled through the Wages Board. Oral Questions 1-10 Employment Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman noted that the Human Rights Commission had recently stated that estate workers were not being paid their wages properly. He raised this as a brief follow-up to the Minister’s response, drawing attention to wage payment issues in the estate sector. Oral Questions 1-10 EmploymentJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions 1-10 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman said the central issue of the motion was whether the Government would grant land ownership to the Malaiyaha community, distinguishing it from house ownership and urging an equity-based approach rather than a general equality framework. He referred to the community’s history of statelessness and the Sirimavo–Shastri Pact, corrected the Hansard record regarding the ship name to “Aadhilakshmi,” and suggested considering the return of people repatriated to India under that pact. He also raised procedural concerns about District Coordinating Committee invitations not reaching MPs properly, and called for implementation of an existing Cabinet Paper on land ownership while noting concerns over estate workers’ wage irregularities. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman conveyed condolences on the death of journalist D. P. S. Jeyaraj and urged the Government to proceed with a promised meeting involving plantation companies, police, MPs and media to address alleged thuggery and lawlessness on estates. He argued that upcountry housing and service delivery are being obstructed by estate land control mechanisms, calling for habitable plantation areas to be taken over by the Government and for increased allocations beyond the current level. He cited earlier proposals, including a Cabinet paper to allocate land to upcountry families, and asked the Government to implement its programmes and wage commitments for estate workers effectively. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Land & HousingEmploymentLaw & Order Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman questioned the Government’s response to repeated attacks on hill-country people, particularly youth, saying that arrests and bail releases do not constitute a lasting solution. He criticized Government Members representing the hill country for failing to raise the matter with the leadership and urged the Minister to address the long-standing grievances of the community. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLaw & Order Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Jeevan Thondaman rose on a brief point of personal reference, stating that his name had been mentioned in the debate. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand was raised in the statement. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the recorded statement. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Jeevan Thondaman raised a point of order after being referred to by a Minister regarding assaults in the upcountry, noting that earlier assurances had been given by the responsible Minister and a Deputy Minister that such incidents would be prevented. He stated that two more people had been assaulted in the previous two days and pressed the Chair for the promised response after the 30-minute period given to report on action taken had expired. Debate: National Transport Commission Act Regulations, Motor Traffic Act Regulations, Immigrants and Emigrants Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman welcomed the Tamil Nadu election result and urged the incoming Chief Minister to engage with Sri Lanka on issues including Katchatheevu, fisheries disputes between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamil fishers, Sri Lankan Tamils in camps, and recognition of the distinct identity of Malaiyaha Tamils. He criticised the Government’s performance on estate-sector issues, alleging it had not delivered new housing despite citing the Indian Housing Project, and questioned its response to incidents in plantation areas. He demanded clear answers on whether the Government will grant land titles to estate residents, implement housing programmes, and ensure that the Police, rather than private actors, handle estate disputes, while stating that allegations of past corruption should be investigated rather than used to avoid these questions. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Land & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionForeign Affairs Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to investigate allegations involving the mortuary of a major Government hospital in Nuwara Eliya following the death of a young woman, and requested the Prime Minister’s direct supervision and a formal position at the next sitting. He raised concerns that plantation-area children are being denied access to preschools or that civil society-run preschools are being taken over by estate management, and called for intervention by the Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry. He also asked the Government to implement an earlier Cabinet decision to bring plantation residential areas under State control, publish the Gazette and agreement on estate wage increases, and ensure that casual and private-sector workers are covered fairly. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Justice & Human RightsWomen & ChildrenEmployment Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman asked the Government to table in Parliament the MoU signed on the plantation wages issue, noting public requests for its release. He also raised concerns that affected communities in Hanguranketa, including Hope, Rockwood, Hewaheta and Loolkandura, had not received assistance despite deaths, including 11 in Loolkandura, and requested a Government response. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman referred to wage negotiations through the Wages Board, stating that an earlier request for a Rs. 1,700 basic wage had been rejected in favour of Rs. 1,550, contributing to the current dispute. He cautioned against combining trade union activity with politics for political advantage, thanked the President for agreeing to raise the basic wage to Rs. 1,700, and requested continued oversight of wage proposals, including earlier figures of Rs. 2,138 and Rs. 1,750. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Jeevan Thondaman said his party supported the Budget on the basis of the Government’s promise of a Rs. 1,750 daily wage for estate workers and a Rs. 5 billion allocation, but demanded transparency over the agreement underpinning the wage payment. He stated that the document was an MoU, not a collective agreement, and tabled it, objecting in particular to Clause 4.1, which makes gratuity conditional on completing 180 days of work. He argued that plantation companies could use this condition to deny registration and statutory benefits such as EPF, ETF, gratuity and maternity or death benefits, and urged the Government to publish the MoU and reject provisions that undermine workers’ protections. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEmployment Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman challenged claims about plantation wage increases, arguing that higher daily wages have been offset by increased plucking targets and asking the Labour Minister to investigate and issue a Gazette to prevent such practices. He defended the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation, citing its establishment in 2005 and comparing it with other memorial institutions, while rejecting criticism of its naming and family involvement. He also questioned government relief commitments to cyclone-affected hill country communities, especially landless and homeless people, and requested that Hansard correct a reference to “Mulloya Govindan.” Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Parliamentary ProcedureEmploymentLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman said the Government had ignored an action plan submitted by estate civil organizations after the “Ditva” disaster and had failed to provide alternative land or housing for affected Hill Country families, instead allowing people to be sent back to unsafe estate houses. He urged land ownership through deeds for estate families, arguing that allocating a small portion of estate land would be more feasible than relying only on housing schemes, and questioned the shifting and understaffing of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat. He welcomed the Cabinet decision on a Rs. 1,750 daily wage but said it fell short of earlier promises and was being undermined by plantation companies increasing daily plucking targets, thereby reducing the benefit to workers. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Public FinanceLand & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman raised concerns over implementation of the announced Rs. 1,750 daily basic wage for estate workers, urging the Government to issue circulars or Gazette the wage, prevent increases to task norms, protect Sunday and holiday pay, and appoint a Labour Ministry monitoring committee. He also called for regulation of the expanding outgrower system to ensure consistent rates and EPF/ETF benefits, citing disparities across estate areas. Referring to recent storm and flood relief, he questioned whether all affected families in Nuwara Eliya had received the promised payments and asked for clarification on gaps in distribution. He further urged the Government and plantation companies to identify alternative land for displaced and unsafe estate families so donor- or government-funded housing could proceed with secure land rights. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Public FinanceEmploymentLand & Housing Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman tabled a civil society document on relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for hill-country communities affected by Cyclone “Titva,” and said he had also tabled accounts for nearly Rs. 6 million in assistance provided to 2,137 families. He urged Members to avoid partisan blame over disaster relief and requested Government action over alleged neglect by officials, including the Divisional Secretary in Kotmale and some Grama Niladharis, particularly affecting Tamil estate communities. He also sought clarification of the Government’s land policy after the President’s reference to six perches per family, arguing that previous provisions had allowed seven to ten perches and that estate communities should not be disadvantaged under new circulars. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →