Several arrests have been made in connection with three separate assault incidents reported in estates in different parts of Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (07).

Addressing Parliament, Minister Wijepala said on April 21, in the Neelagamam Division in Pelmadulla, 11 security officials had allegedly assaulted villagers during a dispute over an illegal construction. 

He said the security officers have been arrested and were produced in court, adding that the Police have taken necessary actions in this regard.   

Last night (06), at the Mokawatte Estate, the estate manager allegedly slapped his meals caretaker. He was arrested at 09.00 am today and is scheduled to be produced in court, he further revealed. 

Minister Wijepala went on to say that early this morning at 12.30 am at Delta Estate, Udupussellawa, Maskeliya, Nuwara Eliya, the deputy manager was arrested for allegedly assaulting a worker. 

The minister said that the arrested deputy estate manager too will be produced in court today.

“There is no attempt to brush away any such incidents. The law will be implemented equally to all,” Minister Wijepala stressed.

He made the remarks in response to questions raised by Opposition MPs Mano Ganesan and Jeevan Thondaman, who highlighted the continuous assaults on upcountry Tamils in various parts of Sri Lanka. 

Responding to Minister Wijepala’s briefing, MP Ganesan urged the minister and the government to convene a discussion to resolve the long‑standing issue. (Newswire)

NeelaGamam estate
Management of Kahawatte Plantations, Deployed Helmeted, Black-Clad Hooligans Allegedly Carring Out a merciless Brutal Attack on the marginalized Workers and breaking down the Makeshift dwelling of homeless Workers in RatnaPura district. #Mano_Ganesan… pic.twitter.com/5SteoRuBOd

— Mano Ganesan (@ManoGanesan) May 1, 2026

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The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has instructed officials to establish a legal framework for the Rs. 200 daily attendance allowance granted by the Government to estate workers.

Clarifying matters at length, the Chairman of the Committee emphasized that the Committee has no objection to increasing the wages of estate workers. However, he stated that the legal basis of the mechanism used to make this payment must be discussed. 

It was pointed out that the payment is currently being made under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into with private plantation companies, without being gazetted, and that such an arrangement could be terminated at any time. Officials further noted that the Rs. 200 allowance does not qualify for contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

Officials informed the Committee that the MoU has been entered into with private plantation companies for a period of three years, and that once this period ends, a policy decision would be required if the Government intends to continue the payments.

The Committee Chair pointed out that it is inappropriate to utilize public funds to pay salaries in private institutions without proper financial discipline. Officials stated that the payment is being made as it has been approved by Parliament under the 2026 Budget.

According to the approved budget estimates, the allocation for this payment is categorized as a “development subsidy.” As development subsidies are generally intended to support increased production, the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury (DST) suggested that the payment would be more appropriately termed a “production incentive.” However, it was observed that neither the payments already made for January nor the relevant MoUs specify such a requirement in practice. 

The Committee also questioned whether excluding the Rs. 200 daily allowance from Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) calculations is in compliance with the relevant laws. When asked whether the Attorney General’s advice had been sought regarding the MoUs and related matters, officials stated that such advice had not been obtained.

Accordingly, the Committee emphasized that these problematic areas must be rectified and that a proper legal basis should be established for the payment.

The matter was discussed when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament last week (17 Feb) under the chairmanship of MP Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera and MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Alahakoon, M.K.M. Aslam, Chitral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Nimal Palihena, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with plantation workers in the Nuwara Eliya district and held a cordial discussion with community representatives today.

The engagement took place during a brief stop at the Talawakelle Mattakele Estate, while the president was en route to attend a programme in Nuwara Eliya under the “Nation United” initiative to eradicate drugs. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a Rs. 400 wage increase for plantation workers and the transfer of uncultivated lands to empower them as small-scale tea estate owners.

MP Premadasa said that the government has proposed to increase the current daily wage of plantation workers from Rs. 1,350 by Rs. 400, split equally between plantation companies and the government. While welcoming the increase, he emphasized that the amount should be higher and that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) believes a greater allocation is necessary.

MP Premadasa acknowledged differing views on how the wage increase should be implemented, but stressed that any financial benefit reaching the plantation community is a positive and just move. 

He pointed out that governments are capable of allocating such funds, citing the UK government’s support for workers in collapsed businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that strengthening the plantation community should go beyond financial aid, and urged the government to implement a national program that grants them rights to cultivate uncultivated lands and become small-scale tea estate owners.

He made these proposals in Parliament today, after being denied the opportunity to clarify misconceptions surrounding the budget allocations for the plantation sector. MP Premadasa noted that at a time when confusion has arisen over the funds allocated in the budget for plantation workers, he attempted to provide clarity but was not given the chance to do so.

“Currently, 60–70% of plantation land is owned by the state and private companies, yet they contribute only around 30% to national tea production. In contrast, small-scale tea estate owners, who hold about 30% of the land, contribute 60–70% of the country’s tea output,” he said. MP Premadasa argued that transferring uncultivated lands to unemployed youth and plantation workers would grant them land ownership, boost tea production, and significantly impact the national economy.

He stated that he does not oppose the Rs. 400 wage increase, but prefers it to be fully implemented by plantation companies. Additionally, he called for uncultivated lands to be handed over to these workers so they can engage in cultivation and eventually build homes of their own. 

MP Premadasa affirmed that this is the official policy of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Samagi Jana Sandhanaya, which was presented during both the presidential and parliamentary elections. He urged the public to focus on this valid policy rather than be distracted by other narratives. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Palani Digambaram today called out some Parliamentarians for opposing the minimum daily wage hike for estate workers proposed in the Budget 2026.

Addressing the Parliament, MP Digambaram praised the government for allocating Rs. 5,000 million to address the wage issues of estate workers. 

He requested the government to clarify whether the payment will be made per day or for an attendance of 25 days. 

“I would like to know this, as there are some opposition factions that oppose this wage hike. MP Namal Rajapaksa and SLMC MP Nizam Kariapper oppose this move because the salaries are being paid from taxpayers’ money. They need to understand that this community has earned for the state over the last 200 years. If not for them, then who do you provide this to?” he questioned. 

MP Digambaram further urged the MPs not to criticize this decision, pointing out that the governments under their parties had failed to provide a wage hike to estate workers. 

“If this government can provide the wage hike, then we must appreciate it and voice our support. I thank the President for increasing the daily wage of estate workers,” he added.  

It has been proposed in the Budget 2026 to increase the current minimum daily wage of Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550 from January 2026. Furthermore, in addition to the salary of Rs. 1,550, it is proposed to pay Rs. 200 as a daily attendance incentive by the government. (Newswire)

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Plantations that do not pay their workers the newly stipulated minimum wage of Rs. 1700 will be reacquired by the government, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said.

The Minister made these comments while addressing an event held in Elpitiya on Sunday.

The government’s decision to raise the wages of plantation workers must be implemented by all plantation employers from next month, the Minister said.

Acknowledging that tea smallholders are already paying more than the minimum wage to their workers, the Minister said that the wage issue remains with local plantation companies that have been transferred to the private sector from the government.

The Minister said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has made the decision in the Cabinet to prepare a bill to take over the estate companies that do not implement the minimum wage. (Newswire)

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A fresh gazette notification has been issued stipulating the daily minimum wage for estate sector workers to be Rs. 1,700.

Accordingly the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2381/35 of April 25,2024 has been approved by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara, with the new regulation coming into effect from May 21, 2024. (Newswire)

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The government is ready to face any situation if the estate companies take court action against the government’s decision to increase the wages of the estate workers’ community, Minister of Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman announced. 

Minister Thondaman disclosed that previously, plantation companies which claimed an inability to augment the basic salary of workers even by a single rupee, have proposed a Rs.200 increase in the basic salary for estate workers following the government’s declaration of a daily wage of Rs.1700. 

The minister emphasized that the companies have the ability to increase the wages of estate workers.

“In the wake of a severe economic crisis affecting the country, estate workers are one of the groups most affected. Continuing long-term suffering amid economic turmoil, their struggle revolves around the pivotal issue of wages.

“In response, the government has taken decisive action by officially mandating a daily wage of Rs.1700 for estate workers under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, through a gazette notification. It is now imperative for estate companies to adhere to this official judgment. Additionally, the government is prepared to confront any legal challenges from estate companies contesting the wage increase for plantation workers,” he said.

Minister Thondaman pointed out that the plantation companies previously claimed an inability to raise the basic salary of their workers even by a rupee, but upon the issuance of a government gazette notification setting the daily wage for plantation workers at Rs.1700, the same companies promptly augmented the basic salary by Rs.200. “This demonstrates their capacity to improve the wages of estate workers,” he said.

The minister further said that concurrently, the government is actively enhancing the estate community’s standard of living by addressing housing shortages among plantation workers, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and now, increasing salaries. This concerted effort undoubtedly serves our estate community well, providing tangible benefits to our people.

“However, as the election season nears, certain parties tend to make a slew of promises to our people. Among these pledges, some claim to transform estate workers into small estate owners. However, they often fail to elaborate on the mechanisms behind such proposals,” he added.

Minister Thondaman made these remarks while addressing a press briefing held at the President Media Centre on Monday (May 13).

Jeevan Thondaman, who is also the Minister of Water Supply, addressed the severe shortage of drinking water in the Jaffna peninsula.

The minister said the Jaffna peninsula has long struggled with a severe shortage of drinking water, necessitating urgent solutions. 

“Currently, only 11% of the peninsula enjoys access to clean drinking water. However, with the ongoing construction of a desalination plant, nearly 40% of the Jaffna peninsula will soon have access to drinking water. This could be pointed out as a considerable development in addressing the issue of water scarcity,” he added. (Newswire)

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