Plantation daily wage hike: ‘Govt. footing bill sets bad precedent’

 11 Nov 2025 | BY Sumudu Chamara

• Want plantation co.-employers to pay wage hike from profits, not via 2026 Budget 
• Also query how Rs. 200 daily attendance incentive will be practically paid as most ordinary workers don’t work 25 days a month

While welcoming the Government’s decision to increase the daily wage of plantation sector workers, the sector’s trade unions (TUs) noted the manner in which it was implemented does not set a good example regarding labour wages.

In this regard, the Voice of Plantation People organisation’s Executive Director Anthony Jesudasan explained that the burden of increasing the sector’s workers should be borne by employers, or plantation sector companies, and not the Government through the country’s Budget.

He told The Daily Morning: “This does not set a good example. If (plantations) companies are getting the profit entirely, the Government should give the responsibility (regarding wage hikes) to those companies. Instead of doing that, the Government promising to give a Rs. 200 wage hike is not a good thing. The Government’s responsibility is to get the companies to agree.”

In addition, he raised concerns about the proposed plan, as the Government’s proposal includes a Rs. 200 payment as a daily attendance incentive. He explained that while those working for 25 days a month are to receive Rs. 10,000 a month, ordinary workers do not work 25 days a month but only around 18-20/22 days a month. He added that in this context, there is an unclear situation regarding how the said attendance incentive will be paid.

Regarding the Government’s claim that the wage hike from the current Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550 will be borne by plantation companies, and that the Government will complement it with an attendance incentive of Rs. 200 to reach the proposed Rs. 1,750 per day, Jesudasan alleged that there is no official report of plantation companies agreeing to increase daily wages by Rs. 200. He opined that if there is no such official agreement, it would lead to issues.

Attempts to contact the Planters’ Association of Ceylon and the Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry yesterday (10) were not successful.

Meeting among Southern Province Catholic Mission, Deputy Minister and CSOs.

 A special discussion was held on October 31, 2025, in the evening between Vicar General of the Southern Province Catholic mission and the Director of Caritas SED Galle, the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Social Infrastructure, government officials, and civil society organizations regarding the issues faced by the Malaiyaha Tamil community in the Southern Province and the necessary actions to be taken.

During the discussion, special attention was drawn to the challenges faced by the Malaiyaha Tamil community living in the Galle and Matara districts, including issues in education (shortage of teachers and resources), vocational training opportunities for Malaiyaha youth, land and housing problems, as well as cultural and language challenges. The participants also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among the government, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to find sustainable solutions to these issues.

The meeting was attended by the Vicar General of the Southern Province Catholic mission and the Director of Caritas SED Galle Very Rev. Fr. Michael Rajendram, The Deputy Minister of Plantation and Social Infrastructure, Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeepan; the Minister’s Advisor, Mr. Marcus,  the Coordinating Secretary, Mr. Sivanesan, the Media Secretary, Mr. Ajithkumar, the Executive Director of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization, Mr. Anthony Jesudasan, the Coordinator of Caritas SED Galle -Mr. Manuel, the Program Director of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization-  Ms. Lavina Hasanthi; and Mr. Madan from the Galle District Secretariat, along with several other officials.

Malaiyaha issues shared with Hon. Duputy Minister of the Plantation & Community Infrastructure.

 on 31 October 2025, A special discussion was organized by Mr. Rajendran, Principal of Galle / Thalangaha Saraswathi Tamil Vidyalaya, to explore the key issues faced by the Malaiyaha community in the Galle District and to welcome the Hon. Pradeepan Sundralingam, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, to the Malaiyaha areas of Galle District.

The discussion was by Hon. Pradeepan Sundralingam, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure and Member of Parliament for Galle District, Mr. Thilanga, another Member of Parliament for Galle District, along with Mr. Sivanesan, Assistant Secretary to the Deputy Minister, Mr. Ajith Kumar, Media Secretary, local political representatives, and civil society members.

Representatives from the Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP) were specially invited to participate in this important event. The VOPP delegation included:

Mr. Anthony Jesudasan – Executive Director, Mrs. Lavina Hasanthi – Program Director, Mr. Dilan – District Action Committee Chairperson

Ms. P. Jeyamary – District Action Committee Secretary, Mr. Kawishka – Chairperson, Malaiyaha Youth Coalition, Selected youth and community representatives. In addition, Mr. Manuel represented Caritas SED Galle, and several civil society representatives also participated in the discussion.

The dialogue focused on the educational challenges faced by Malaiyaha children, as well as land, housing, and infrastructure issues affecting the community in Galle and the Southern Province.

Speaking on behalf of VOPP, Mr. Kawishka presented the realities and difficulties faced by Malaiyaha families in the Galle District — particularly on education, land ownership, housing, and social issues. Other estate representatives also shared their personal experiences and the struggles of their communities.

Hon. Deputy Minister Pradeepan Sundralingam listened carefully to all the issues raised and expressed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Malaiyaha people living in Galle and the Southern Province, noting that their situation is distinct from that of Malaiyaha communities in other regions. The Minister promised to work toward sustainable solutions for problems related to education, land, and housing, as well as to address the growing issue of drug addiction among youth.

As part of the event, VOPP also took the opportunity to recognize the creative talents of Malaiyaha students. Following the Leadership Training Programs organized for Malaiyaha school students last year and earlier this year, VOPP compiled students’ writings into a special publication.

Among the contributors were five students from Thalangaha Saraswathi Tamil Vidyalaya.

During the program, these students were presented with a copy of the publication through the hands of the Hon. Deputy Minister, marking a proud and inspiring moment for the students and their school.

The Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP) extends heartfelt appreciation to Principal Mr. Rajendran, Hon. Deputy Minister Pradeepan Sundralingam, Mr. Thilanga MP, and all the officials, partners, and participants who contributed to this meaningful discussion and continue to support the empowerment of the Malaiyaha community.