News

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

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

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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News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.