The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, many Members have expressed views on the post-“Ditva” situation. Regarding the Hill Country, I must state:

¶ 02 Civil organizations in the estates prepared a document on measures needed after the disaster; I submitted a clear action plan during the last sitting. It was neither considered nor taken into account. Thus, to date, the Government has treated Hill Country people as second-class citizens. The main reasons are as follows.

¶ 03 Thousands of houses were affected. Families living in these houses can be given alternative locations within the same estates; land is available. We clearly indicated this. Yet the Government has taken no action to allocate alternate sites. Instead, GNs and police, hand in glove with estate managers, have forcibly sent people back to their collapsed houses. If anything happens to them, the Government is responsible. Without any consultations or proper process, people — even cattle — are being driven back as if herded. How can we say the Government has acted justly towards the Hill Country?

¶ 04 I have supported the Government from the Opposition benches to highlight these problems and urge action: give alternate land and build houses. Donors will come forward. But people are still made to live in the same collapsed houses. The Hon. Minister said earlier they would issue land deeds and build 7,000 houses; in January 2025, he said 4,500 houses built last year would be handed over this year. Build houses; no objection. But that is house ownership; our people demand land ownership. There is a big difference. About 172,000 families live in the estates. Building Rs. 2.8 million houses for all is not feasible. But issuing land deeds costs only about Rs. 28,000 per family. There are about 204,000 hectares of estate land; to change the destiny of 172,000 families, only around 5,000 hectares are needed. Yet there is no discussion on land rights.

¶ 05 Another issue: institutional displacement. Two months ago, citing disaster-related deficiencies, the Norwood Divisional Secretariat was shifted to Hatton. Is that temporary or permanent? Families under Norwood now suffer. The same officer serves both Thalawakelle and Norwood — three days for Thalawakelle and two for Norwood. What is the point of such a Secretariat if staffing and services are diluted? This move seems made solely to suit a ruling-party member based in Hatton, to facilitate distribution of Government relief there. Even that can be forgiven as politics, but why reduce services elsewhere? Norwood and Ambagamuwa D.S. divisions share one Accounts Officer — why can’t the Government appoint as needed? Are we not citizens?

¶ 06 This morning a Cabinet letter says Rs. 1,750 daily wage has been approved. During the Budget vote, I was the only one from the Opposition to vote in favour — not out of fear but for our people. Before coming to power, they promised Rs. 2,138 as a base wage; after coming to power, that talk vanished. We urged them at least to increase by Rs. 10 to show good faith. Whether to prove us wrong or to uplift wages, they acted; I take pride in contributing. However, while they said Rs. 1,750 base, what is implemented is Rs. 1,550 base with Rs. 200 as a six-month allowance. I welcome even that, but you have not kept your promise.

¶ 07 I speak with anguish: you are mortgaging our people to plantation companies. I warned here: do not trust estate companies; they will offset wage hikes with hidden burdens. Today, Horana Plantations and Thalawakelle Plantations have increased norms from 20 kg to 22–23 kg. Many estates now demand up to 26 kg. Is this how you repay our trust? You give Rs. 200 and take back more through increased workload.

¶ 08 Some, believing in the President, may carry the Government’s flag — even those not working in estates, even Members here. To all of you I say one thing: morning, noon, and evening, our workers’ reality must guide your decisions.