News
Planters’ Association flays Thondaman for abusing estate General Manager
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Condemning Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman (SLPP) for the verbal abuse of Suresh Navaratnam, General Manager of Elkaduwa Plantations, Matale, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon has emphasised that the management removed an illegal structure put up by non-workers. The incident took place on Sunday (20).
The Association has pointed out that illegal structures had been put up on government-owned Ratwatte estate, managed by Elkaduwa Plantations. Navaratnam served the Army Volunteer Force as a Major.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Thondaman a Cabinet minister in January.
The Association said a non-worker had put up an illegal structure there, which the management wanted removed immediately. After reporting the matter to the police, the management exercised their authority to protect the state property as custodians of the land,in accordance with the law, the Association said.
“As the apex body of the plantation industry, we condemn such acts of high-handedness, abuse and use of threats by a government Cabinet Minister. We call upon the Minister to allow the management of relevant plantation companies to resolve such internal issues, in accordance with the laws of the land.”
The Island raised this issue with Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana who explained efforts made by the government to address the grievances of the estate community and maintain law and order. Minister Pathirana said that the government couldn’t ignore the need to improve the living conditions of the estate community. Allocation of land, through a proper process, was contemplated, the Galle district lawmaker said, adding that he was determined to go ahead with the planned action. The Matale incident shouldn’t be allowed to hinder the progress of work undertaken to improve the living conditions of those who toiled in estates.
Former Colombo Municipal Council member and civil society activist Sharmila Gonawela questioned the conduct of the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) personnel, assigned to Minister Thondaman, who was captured on camera threatening the estate General Manager. Pointing out that there had been previous incident, also in the upcountry region, where the same Minister intervened in a police matter, Gonawala urged Public Security Ministry and police to issue specific instructions to police bodyguards as regards their duties and responsibilities.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles couldn’t be contacted for comments.
Meanwhile, Dhammike Kobbekaduwe, member ex-Planters’ Association, in an open letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has called for a thorough inquiry into the incident at the Ratwatte estate. Kobbekaduwe has urged the President to take into consideration the fact that the person who put up the illegal structure was an outsider. According to Kobbekaduwe, the issue could have been settled amicably if the man removed the illegal structure as agreed when the Elkaduwa management reported the trespass to the local police.
Kobbekaduwe has warned that this was not an isolated incident but in line with continuing strategy meant to intimidate estate management.
Lawmakers, representing several political parties, including the SJB, demanded in Parliament, on Tuesday, action against Maj. Navaratnam. Civil society activist Gonawala said that political parties hadn’t at least bothered to verify facts before speaking on behalf of a person who had encroached on government land.
The Island sought an explanation from Minister Thondaman who pointed out that the public weren’t aware of the other side of the story. The Minister assured that a statement would be issued in this regard. However, at the time this edition went to press The Island didn’t receive it.
The Department of Education has announced that the results of the 2024 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on : www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the training of teachers required for the new education reforms will commence in May, and that contracts granted to political cronies in local government institutions will be brought to an end following the upcoming local government elections.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in the areas of Mirigama, Minuwangoda, and Katana in the Gampaha District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister stated:
“From birth to death, all the aspects of life of a person are handled by local government institutions. However, to this day, these institutions lack proper systems even to provide the people with basic facilities.
We are committed to working with a proper system, free of fraud and corruption, and managing every rupee carefully and attentively. We are identifying the needs of people and implementing projects under a systematic plan to develop rural sectors.
You elect fellow members who stand firmly against fraud and corruption through two decisive elections. First, you elect Anura Kumara as President, a leader committed to fighting corruption. Then, in the parliamentary election, you choose a group of qualified individuals who are equally dedicated to this cause to represent you in Parliament.
To ensure that the funds allocated for rural development reach the people, the local government institutions which are the closest to the villagers must also be clean and transparent. That is why this election is so important to us.
The people and the villages come to experience our corruption-free political culture through local government institutions. These institutions must properly implement, monitor, and evaluate the development projects allocated to the rural sector. The era of awarding contracts for such projects to political cronies must end.
Although early childhood development is a crucial part of education, there has never been a proper system for it. We are now establishing such a system. Starting in May, teacher training for the modern education which is being introduced will begin. We have a comprehensive plan for development across all sectors.
The Ministry of Education has received billions worth of projects, but there is no proper implementation process. For example, 1,500 smart boards were brought for smart classrooms, but the Secretary to the Ministry has not implemented a system to distribute them to schools. Teachers have not been trained to use them. Teacher training institutes still follow outdated curriculum. This will be corrected through the new education reforms,
In order to deliver all these benefits to the rural sector efficiently, it is essential to elect the right people for the right purposes. Therefore, in the upcoming local government elections, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya urged the public to vote for the candidates who are free from fraud and corruption presented by the National People’s Power (NPP).”
The event was attended by Parliament Chief Organizer of the ruling party Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Chaminda Lalith Kumara, along with several local government candidates and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
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