Empowering the Ulandawa Estate Community: A Recap of VOPP's Recent Meeting

In a recent gathering of the Ulandawa Estate Committee on Land and Reconciliation, hosted by the Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP), pivotal discussions unfolded, setting the stage for transformative initiatives. This meeting, held on January 14, 2024, addressed crucial issues faced by the community and outlined strategic plans to secure a brighter future for its residents.

Opening Remarks: A Vision for Progress Mr. Anthony Jesudasan, leading the opening remarks, shared insights into the ongoing endeavors of VOPP. Amidst the discussion of VOPP's current situation, he extended Thai Pongal greetings, fostering a sense of unity among the participants. The upcoming meeting with government officials in Colombo on January 22, 2024, was emphasized, highlighting the organization's commitment to advocating for the community.

The reminiscence of past milestones, including the Survey report launching and diplomatic missions' petitions, underscored the persistent efforts to secure the rights and recognition of the Malaiyaga Tamil identity. Mr. Jesudasan reiterated VOPP's demand for 20 perches of land plots for each family, setting a crucial tone for the meeting's agenda.

Land Issues and Community Building: Key Points Unveiled The meeting delved into the pressing matter of obtaining land permits and titles for Ulandawa Estate residents who have received land. Scheduled for January 22, 2024, a VOPP team is poised to engage with government officials, addressing challenges faced by residents who constructed houses according to personal preferences rather than the government-approved plan.

An equally crucial topic centered around community-building, with a focus on youth and women. The call for establishing groups comprising at least 30 youth and 30 women by the end of the month highlighted the importance of their involvement in upcoming peace dialogues and other community projects.

Charting a Course for Change Lavina's emphasis on the significance of the database and the need for leaders to promptly update information underscored the importance of accurate and timely data. Raajan's suggestion to initiate mapping of the estate aims to identify suitable land for housing and farming, addressing the challenges faced by families allocated only 7 perches of land.

Political representation and wage issues took center stage, with a call to educate the community on political vision and participation. Concerns were raised about the labor-intensive work conditions and the disparity between market prices for tea leaf plucking and the wages provided by Tea Estates.

Unity for Progress As the meeting drew to a close at 5:00 pm, the resounding message was clear - the active participation and cooperation of the Ulandawa Estate community are paramount for achieving the outlined objectives. Notably, the commitment to demolishing line rooms once beneficiaries receive alternative housing echoes the rallying cry of "NO more Line rooms." The journey towards empowerment has begun, fueled by the determination to create a better future for the Ulandawa Estate community. VOPP stands as a beacon, guiding the way towards progress, unity, and justice.

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