By Lalin I De Silva – www.vivonta.lk

The history of plantations in Sri Lanka predates the structured implementation of Human Resources Management (HRM) principles. This has led to a stagnation of progressive workforce policies in the plantation sector, worsening the crisis of a static, never-evolving job structure at the estate level. The core issue stems from the industry’s continued entrenchment in the commodity market rather than transitioning into a product market—save for a few exceptions. This has provided fertile ground for trade unions to maintain an archaic system that perpetuates labor dependency rather than advocating for a modern, competency-driven business model.

Trade unions, instead of embracing transformation, have traditionally relied on collective bargaining mechanisms, often with the backing of international organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO). While collective bargaining has been seen as a tool for securing higher wages, it has inadvertently preserved outdated employment structures. Value chain management experts have long proposed competency-based remuneration models to address labor attrition, yet these calls have largely gone unheeded. Consequently, the plantation sector is now grappling with an acute shortage of skilled labor, further eroding its contribution to the national GDP, which once stood at 4% but is now on a downward spiral.

Faced with laboUr crises, politicians have resorted to using their influence to mandate wage hikes, not as a means of strategic sectoral reform but merely as a damage-control measure. However, increasing wages without a structured, scientific approach does little to ensure sustainable sectoral growth. The fundamental question that remains unanswered is: how does one define and measure the ideal level of competence required for a liveable wage in the plantation sector?

The answer lies in embedding HRM principles into the very fabric of plantation management. A sustainable solution involves the following integrated approach:

1. Developing a New Business Model (Strategy): The plantation sector must transition from a commodity-based approach to a product-oriented one. This shift would add value to the supply chain, open new market opportunities, and create demand for a more skilled workforce that justifies better remuneration.

2. Digital Transformation (Technology): The introduction of smart agriculture, automation, and data analytics can help modernize estate operations. Digital tools can facilitate workforce planning, performance tracking, and precision farming techniques, all of which will redefine job roles and expectations.

3. Structural Reforms (Execution Frameworks): The industry must realign its organizational structures to support modern business objectives. This includes redefining job roles, eliminating redundant positions, and introducing competency-based career pathways.

4. Professional Development (Human Capital Evolution): The focus should shift from merely training technicians to cultivating professionals at all levels. This entails structured upskilling programs, leadership development, and competency assessments to drive industry-wide transformation.

Key HRM interventions such as job evaluation, job costing, job rotation, and salary benchmarking must be systematically applied to create a competitive and attractive workforce environment. This will not only address the challenge of high labor costs but also mitigate external political interference in wage determinations.

Rather than blaming political interventions for the sector’s decline, stakeholders must proactively manage growth through Value Chain Management (VCM) principles. A robust VCM approach ensures that each component of the plantation industry—from raw material sourcing to final product delivery—operates efficiently and profitably, thereby justifying a competency-based remuneration framework.

The future of Sri Lanka’s plantation sector depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and integrate HRM strategies that align with global best practices. A shift towards a competency-based livable wage model will not only improve labor retention but also restore the sector’s economic viability, making it a sustainable and attractive career option for future generations.

(Lalin I De Silva, value chain journalist of Vivonta Green Tech Consultants, former Senior Planter, Agricultural Advisor/Consultant, Secretary General of Ceylon Planters Society, Editor of Ceylon Planters Society Bulletin and freelance journalist. )

According to available data, Sri Lanka experiences a significant number of road traffic accidents with statistics indicating an average of around 38,000 crashes annually, resulting in approximately 2,500 fatalities and 8,000 serious injuries, placing it among the highest road fatality rates in the South East Asia! It’s absolutely shocking news! Let’s analyse available data.

According to research by D.S.Kodithuwakku of University of Kelaniya: The impact of environmental and human factors has significant importance on the Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in Sri Lanka. Past studies have shown that neither the expansion of roads horizontally or vertically nor the reduction in the vehicle density is a solution to reduce RTAs. Therefore, this study is to determine the significant human factors associated with RTAs in Sri Lanka using data on RTAs during 2005-2019 obtained from the Department of Police, Sri Lanka, and suggest some solutions to reduce RTAs. The six reasons for major RTAs are overtaking, diversion, speed driving, alcohol consumption of driver, negligence of pedestrians, and mechanical fault of vehicles. About 85% of major RTAs were due to overtaking (32%), diversion (27%), and speed driving (25%). The percentage of RTAs under each of these variables is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of RTAs when the drivers have alcohol more than the minimum level (9%). The Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Conformity factor analysis (CFA) confirmed that reasons for RTAs can be classified into two latent factors, namely, ‘lack of attention of the drivers’ and ‘negligence of the drivers. The two factors are invariant on the type of extraction method as well the type of orthogonal rotation. The fitted binary logistic model revealed that the significant variables on RTAs are negligence of the road conditions by the drivers, lack of attention of the driver, age of driver less than 18 years, and status of alcohol by the drivers. The odds of fatal accidents happening when the driver has a valid driving licence are 4.3 times higher than that of a driver without a valid licence ! The inferences derived from this study can be easily used by Department of Police in Sri Lanka to reduce the RTAs in Sri Lanka. Drivers should be motivated to become well-disciplined drivers. Fines for those who do not adhere to road rules need to be increased substantially.

Vehicles in Sri Lanka do not currently require a mandatory MOT (Ministry of Transport) test, as there is no established system similar to the UK’s MOT that comprehensively checks a vehicle’s roadworthiness on a regular basis; however, vehicles are subject to annual licence renewals which include basic quality checks and emission tests during the process, and authorities can conduct random inspections if needed. How does it compare to U.K. ‘s mandatory 1st MOT for a brand new vehicle after just 3 years to be renewed annually!

Causes of Road Accidents

Over Speeding.

Drunken Driving.

Distractions to Driver.

Red Light Jumping.

Avoiding Safety Gears like Seat belts and Helmets.

Non-adherence to lane driving and overtaking in a wrong manner.

This is a common sight in Wales to warn drivers in addition to mandatory speed limits of 20MPH and 30MPH on certain stretches of roads introduced by the previous Welsh government under Mark Drakeford. It has already reduced RTAs significantly. Bumps across roads called Sleeping Policemen are in place near schools, hospitals and where elderly people live in care homes. Cats eyes in the middle of roads reflect light in white, green and red where it is dangerous to overtake !

Roads are classified as motorways (70 MPH), dual carriageways (70MPH) with National speed limit of 60MPH on A routes unless otherwise specified. Also, clear warning signs on narrower roads – Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. Drivers who qualify for a Blue Badge due to disabilities get one free which helps parking near shops subject to certain rules!

Sunil Dharmabandhu

Wales, U.K.

Passed my driving test on 07.07.1977 and still possess a clean licence, driving even our 3500kg 4 berth motor home

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

It is no secret that the JVP/NPP government came to power mostly by slinging mud at their opponents, no doubt justified to some extent. There were gross exaggerations, claiming that nothing positive has happened since independence and tarring all politicians with the brush of corruption! It looks as if it wants to remain in power using the same tactic probably because it finds it difficult to keep to some of the promises it made to gain power. The sheer eloquence displayed by the president during the election campaigns seem to be coming to haunt him. On many things, which he stated could be reversed by a stroke of a pen are still pending and sceptics are questioning whether the president has misplaced the pen, just like the former speaker has misplaced his academic certificates!

Distortions continue to be the order of the day and as mentioned in the editorial “From ‘chits’ to ‘lists’ (The Island, 1 March), lists are being used to attack opponents, some of whom have already received ‘political punishment’ from the voters. What is worse are the unfair comparisons made, well exemplified by the list of expenses for foreign travel by presidents. The government made the crucial mistake of not limiting it to former presidents but in an attempt to create a whiter-than-white image of the president, it added unbelievably low cost to the present president’s three foreign trips. It is very likely that the expenses for the former presidents were for the entourage whereas for the present president, it was only for himself! Part of the low cost was attributed to the president receiving free tickets for two trips. I am sure if the tickets were provided by the inviting governments, it would have been stated as such and one must assume that they were from other sources, which raises further questions; who are these generous guys and why did they do it? Reminds one of the saying “There is nothing called a free lunch!”

More importantly, one fervently hopes that the reverse does not happen; from going from ‘lists’ to ‘chits’ again, which would be a disaster. It was a disaster that cost thousands of lives and remembered with trepidation by those who were lucky enough to survive. A colleague of mine has forwarded a photograph of one of these notorious ‘chits’ sent during the second JVP uprising, which is in circulation in social media now, and called me later to have a chat. I was taken aback when he told me that he had them pasted daily on his door, as he worked part-time for the army. He had torn them away but on learning this, his superior medical officer had advised him to leave the country, for the sake of his young family, which he did. He worked in New Zealand a year before coming to the UK. Do hope this does not happen again but the video circulating showing a party-man advising a villager not to post adverse comments on the government, raises the possibility that ‘chits’ may raise its ugly head again!

I am not sure whether it was the president who stated that fuel prices could be brought down immediately by cutting off commission charged by the previous minister but the widely anticipated fuel price reduction never materialised. Whoever that made the accusation owes an apology to the previous minister.

However, I am sure the president gave repeated assurances that Arjuna Mahendran would be brought back to stand trial for the Bond Scam. He told cheering audiences that he could do it with a stroke of his pen, in spite former president Sirisena claiming that he placed more than 2,500 signatures for this purpose. It did not succeed and, instead, Mahendran dared by publishing two letters in The Island, giving his full postal address in Singapore, the moment Ranil became president. He would not have done so without knowing that he would be protected. It is a pity AKD did not appraise himself of facts before giving categorical assurances. What is the government’s position now? “We have encountered some legal difficulties but don’t worry, we will try him in absentia” according to the cabinet spokesman, which is hilarious!

The Mahendran episode raises another interesting question. There are droves who sing hosannas for Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew. Whilst not trying to belittle what LKY achieved for Singapore, I have always questioned whether he is a true democrat. He was far from it and what he did to his opponents is conveniently forgotten because of the massive transformation he engineered. Coming to the present, much is made of Singapore’s anti-corruption measures. There are regular reports of politicians being jailed for corruption and many contend that Singapore thrives as it has eradicated corruption. This raises the question why it is refusing to extradite a Singapore citizen who is charged with corruption? Is it that Singapore’s anti-corruption drive operates only when it is an internal matter? Is it that Singapore does not care when one of its citizens takes on an extremely responsible job in a foreign country and indulges in corrupt activities? Is this not the height of hypocrisy?

Although Gotabaya is hauled over the coals for making the country bankrupt, the rot started with Yahapalanaya and the Bond Scam is one of the major factors. Mahendran, who lacked any suitable experience, was imported on false pretences by Ranil but, interestingly the Handunnetti COPE report did not apportion any blame to Ranil. As all investigations laid the blame on Mahendran, who left the country to attend a wedding according to Ranil, not being able to bring him back is a gross injustice. Of course, the government spokesman had a wonderful solution; “As it is his friend, Ranil should bring him back. Then we will prosecute him”! If Mahendran saga is not resolved, it would be a shame for our government and would tarnish the reputation of Singapore, as well.

It is high time the government stopped slinging mud at opponents and start taking actions to solve the problems affecting the masses, the most important being the cost of living.