Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, Hon. Mano Ganesan said the JVP had a class against estate workers—if that were so, I could not be here. Many youth from the hills joined the JVP-led social struggle and sacrificed their lives; my father was one of them. Do not try to hide a whole pumpkin in the rice.

¶ 02 Whatever development was done earlier, today we have the duty to continue. Even with the Indian housing scheme, during their time, out of 1,300 planned houses, only 25 were actually handed to beneficiaries; many were left half-built. After we assumed office, our Government allocated about Rs. 60 billion to complete and hand over these houses.

¶ 03 We are also arranging to grant two acres each to schools in plantation areas, and to regularize land for temples located on estate lands—initial steps are underway. The injustices suffered by hill country people for 76 years cannot be undone in just eighteen months.

¶ 04 Politically, the hill country has seen a cultural shift; earlier their own leaders contributed to their subjugation. Today educated youth and intellectuals are forming a new political culture, and I do not believe they will forfeit it. Our Government is taking firm steps to curb the recent estate company thuggery and assaults on workers. At the special meeting chaired by the Minister of Public Security today, we took decisions to end the lawlessness by companies.

¶ 05 We consciously use the term “Malaiyagam people” to accord dignity. The NPP Government confers this recognition and will advance education, health, and economic upliftment. The historic May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya showed the people’s confidence in us.

¶ 06 On land, we are initiating a solution. Preliminary discussions have begun. The core issue is land ownership. Under the NPP Government, land rights will be granted so they can live with dignity. Earlier, some said wage hikes were impossible; we increased wages and improved their economy.