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Jeevan laments even after 200 years estate Tamils have to fight for due recognition

Published

3 years ago

2023/10/6

Thilina Walpola

State Minister Thondaman and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during the ceremony

By Sirimantha Rathnasekera

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader and Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman yesterday said that the plantation Tamil community still had to fight for due recognition even after 200 years of blood, sweat, toil and tears to nurture and serve this nation.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Lakdiya Medura in Pelawatte, the Minister said that at the commemoration of 200 years of service to the nation by his community of people a programme under the theme NAAM200 (We are 200) had been organised and it would be used as a forum for their struggle to win recognition and rights.

“We do not demand equality. What we demand is equity and recognition. Surely, this country would not have been able to have free health care or free education if not for the foreign exchange brought to the country by the labour of the plantation workers. At the introduction of free education, health care and welfare programmes, this country had no other means of foreign exchange such as migrant workers, apparel products or tourism industry as at today but only the income generated from the plantation products. Yet, a significant segment of the Sri Lankan population does not consider the estate worker community as part of this country,” the minister said.

NAAM200 campaign comprises an insurance scheme, stamp launch, souvenir coin, historical exhibition, art, photo, essay and film making competitions, cultural show, upcountry dialogue, awareness run, declaration of a national history week and main event attended by the President, Prime Minister and cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, addressing the ceremony that saw the launch of NAAM200 official logo, said that the history of 200 years of upcountry Tamils was a story of struggle for rights. “Starting from the Bracegirdle incident up to today, this journey of struggle had been led by many political leaders including the grandfather and father of Minister Thondaman. I hope that this NAAM200 campaign will be able to add a new chapter in that struggle,” the prime minister said.

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PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo

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Published

22 hours ago

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Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note: In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Published

22 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

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