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Over 12,000 estate workers deprived of EPF, ETF, gratuity amounting to Rs 1,888 mn

Published

3 years ago

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Shocking case of dereliction of duty by bureaucrats:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Estate workers have not been able to secure arrears of EPF, ETF and gratuity payments amounting to Rs 1,888 mn due to the absence of a proper mechanism to implement recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL),

The non-implementation of recommendations made by the HRCSL in August 2019 pertaining to 12,000 workers of the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB), Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation (SLSPC), and Elkaduwa Plantations Limited had been inquired into by the HRCSL following representations made by some of those affected. The incumbent HRCSL Chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice Rohini Marasinghe on Wednesday summoned a meeting to explore ways and means of resolving the long-standing issue.

Authoritative sources told The Island that though all three plantations companies had been asked to attend a meeting summoned by the HRCSL on March 23, only JEDB attended along with senior representatives of relevant ministries.

Sources said that the monies that had been deducted from the salaries of workers were not remitted to the Central Bank and the retired workers deprived of their gratuity.

Sources explained that the original complaint had been received way back in 2013 and the recommendations made in late 2019 and none of those responsible took tangible measures to implement specific recommendations.

According to the HRCSL document signed by the then HRCSL Commissioners Ramani Muttetuwegama and H. Gazali Hussein, the JEDB owed workers Rs 885 mn, SLSPC Rs 664 mn and Elkaduwa Plantations Rs 339 mn.

Sources said that the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development, Department of Labour and the Central Bank were the other respondent parties.

Sources said that the ministries had turned a blind eye to the plight of the workers regardless of the HRCSL recommendations brought to their notice.

The HRCSL has received an assurance from the JEDB that all due payments of former estate workers of the Estates of JEDB would be settled on or before Nov 2, 2022. However, SLSPC and Elkaduwa plantation companies hadn’t so far indicated how they intended to address the issues, sources said. The HRCSL would soon call them for a meeting to seek an explanation regarding their absence at the March 22 meet.

Sources said that the issues pertaining to estate workers had been handled in a lethargic manner by the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development, Department of Labour and Central Bank. Specific recommendations/ instructions meant to provide relief to the workers had been discarded so far, sources said, adding that the HRCSL intended to pursue this matter vigorously.


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Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail

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3 hours ago

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2025/04/9

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A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.

During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.

Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and  Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.

The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.

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Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]

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8 hours ago

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2025/04/9

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The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre  of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in 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 below 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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Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament

Published

12 hours ago

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2025/04/9

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Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).

Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.

The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.

The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.

Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

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