The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 PRIVATE MEMBERS' MOTION: ACQUISITION OF ESTATE ROADS TO THE GOVERNMENT

¶ 02 [11.50 a.m.]

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I move:

¶ 04 “Whereas Sri Lanka holds a special place in the plantation sector, and since ownership, management and administration of estates have changed over time, and as estate worker settlements are often located far from main roads, the estate roads used by these people remain underdeveloped and in very poor condition; this Parliament urges the Government to take necessary action to vest such roads under Provincial and Local Authorities.”

¶ 05 I bring this Motion with awareness of the situation in the Ratnapura District I represent, and similarly across the country. Many Tamil people live in estate-related villages. The roads leading to these settlements pass through lands owned by plantation companies, and sometimes people are denied access. In my district, for example, in the Kolonna Division, companies like Hantane (Hayleys) and Egbert act as if they have absolute title and control. These are communities that contribute to export income, yet companies are not willing to provide basic access. No state institution intervenes. Therefore, I request the Minister and this House to pay attention. The main reason these roads are not developed is the lack of a clear authority with ownership and control. We propose that the Government discuss with estate companies and ensure that, in areas where large numbers of Tamils live — such as Rakwana, Sooriya Kanda, Balangoda in Ratnapura, and similar areas countrywide — the necessary authority and resources be provided, including legal changes to empower Provincial Councils.

¶ 06 Successive governments have neglected the Tamil people working in estates. I recall the period when the late Jeevan Thondaman served as a State Minister. I raised many issues for Tamil people then, understanding their hardships. There has been no consistent mechanism to provide necessary support, except in Nuwara Eliya where his father and later he held the subject. In our government, Mr. Digambaram also held a ministry. But in Ratnapura and Matara districts, there was no transparent system over time to provide facilities to estate communities.

¶ 07 There are many Tamil and Muslim leaders in Parliament. In districts like Ratnapura, there are significant Muslim and Tamil populations, yet resource allocation via ministries has been highly unequal. I request that the longstanding issue of people living in line rooms be addressed, and that basic facilities be provided to this community that brings export income. We should deliver sustainable solutions, not short-term handouts during elections. The Government should act, and take the credit — that is fine — but the people must receive essential facilities.

¶ 08 We must also accept a new approach. Segregating communities and creating separate frameworks have not solved problems. All — Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim — must be treated equally. Ministries should not be the exclusive preserve of one community. This Parliament and its leaders must create inclusive mechanisms. Without that, these problems will persist. In Ratnapura, Tamil students lack A/L science stream facilities; this is a serious deficit and a shame. I request the Prime Minister, also holding the Education portfolios, to address this and the broader needs of these hardworking plantation communities: ensure their fundamental rights, help them move beyond line rooms, and provide equal facilities.

¶ 09 Finally, end the divisions in society, and solve the broader issues of the impoverished Tamil communities, enabling their livelihoods and lives to progress on par with other communities. I commend this Motion to the Government. Thank you.