Workshop and Press Conference - 16 March 2010 – Hotel Renuka Colombo

Vesting the Plantation Housing settlement in the Local Government Authority

Institute of Social Development launched a programme to advocate the Right of the plantation community for Development, focusing on the vesting of plantation housing settlement in the Local Government authority – vide Pradeshiya Saba Act Number 15 of 1987. Section 33 of this Act prohibits elected members of the local government to implement any development activity, including infrastructure development in the plantation sector, without the approval from the plantation management or the proprietor.

ISD had enlightened the plantation community leaders and policy makers from time to time, but no one seemed interested or realized the obstacle, until the Udapalatha Pradeshiya Saba was dissolved in August 2008 citing some development projects undertaken in some estates in the area. The project in question was erection of a water tank to supply clean drinking water to the inhabitants of the estate and construction of a by-road, and cementing the surroundings of worker quarters. Some other reasons were also cited.

ISD, following the dissolution of the Pradeshiya Saba, advocate the community politicians by way of articles in newspapers, using the electronic media and also participating in Television talk shows. These efforts influenced the political representatives of the plantation community as to realize the fundamental rights of the plantation community and that it had been violated willy-nilly. ISD’s efforts were also successful to an extent that some Plantation Trade Unions took this issue up with the policy makers. ISD also held a press conference taking advantage of the impending general election, to draw the attention of the policy makers to this crucial issue, while in the meantime organized a a half-a-day discussion on 16 March 2010, at Hotel Renuka Colombo inviting Union Leaders, intellectuals, academics and civil society representatives of plantation community.

ISD Director, Mr. P. Muthulingam the legal constraints placed by Section 33 of the Act restricting the freedom of the elected Pradeshiya Saba, Provincial Council and even the parliamentary members where implementation of people centered development projects.

Dr. A.S Chandrabose of the Open University of Sri Lanka enlightened the participants on the need to increase the number of local government authority so that the plantation community will be meaningfully represented.

Participants came-up with their clarifications and comments and put forward suggestions to advocate the policymakers and to solicit the intervention of the President for the need to vest the plantation housing settlements in the Pradeshiya Saba.

At a press conference after the workshop, the resolution adopted on the basis of the workshop discussion was released to the press. The house requested the director Mr. P. Muthulingam to forward the resolution to His Excellency President for his intervention.

Click here to see the Resolution forwarded to His Excellency the President >>>

Published article in the National Newspapers>>>