Financial Times

Kerala wants Sri Lankan coconut pluckers

A recent newspaper article spoke of Kerala planning to recruit Sri Lankan coconut pluckers a development which will surely gladden the hearts of this small community of skilled workers that is making a silent but significant contribution to the national economy.

The announcement of the Kerala State that it is prepared to recruit pluckers from neighbouring countries offering high perks has given our pluckers international recognition. This is not the first time that coconut pluckers are in the limelight. Over 50 years ago when that outspoken, one time prime Minister Sir John Kotalawala was told that the coconut industry was suffering from a dearth of pluckers, his famous quip was, “They have all entered Parliament.”

Whilst Kotalawala’s intention was to discredit the 1956 Parliament, he perhaps little realized that he was emphasizing that Parliament had ceased to be the preserve of the elite and become truly representative of the ordinary people. By saying so he also paid a compliment to the coconut pluckers.

Lets not forget that it was Robert Knox who stated, “Wash the mud off the peasant cultivator, he is fit to sit on the Throne”! Today with this new recognition that our coconut pluckers have earned, if Knox had been living, he would have said, “Take the ring (Walalla) off his ankles and dress him in a white suit, a coconut plucker is fit to be a minister”!

Today Sri Lanka professes to be a truly egalitarian society honouring all manner of rights, fundamental rights, human rights and what not.

The time has come indeed, like the State of Kerala to look up to our coconut pluckers not only literally but metaphorically too. The uniformed gentry of the Police and Armed Services who are compelled to salute politicians who have criminal records and often resort to low and disgraceful behaviour, should have no qualms in saluting our honourable coconut pluckers!

Edward Gunawardena
Battaramulla

 
Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other Financial Times Articles
‘Wait and See’ policy by top investment fund
Harry J still controls HNB
CPC losses could surpass earlier estimates in hedging case
Central Bank finalizes repayment to small GK depositors
Apollo Hospital to change to Lanka Hospitals
Crisis at SLIC board settled by PBJ
150 foreigners, 60,000 locals invest in Treasury bonds
Comment - Business, investment uncertainty lingers on
JVP hartals, bullock carts, floods in the city and the once-green Colombo city
Sri Lankans planning to visit Austria in a tizzy
Ceylon Investment shows 2Q10 profit
Sri Lankan hotels given World Travel Awards
Letter - Need for Probe Commission on Ceylinco, failed finance companies
Letter - Senior citizens struggle with new interest rates
New programme to ensure investments benefit the community
Demand for air travel in another 1-2 years-Emirates Chief
Vidullanka reports impressive 1H profits
Interest rates in government securities market ease further
Christmas at ODEL
AAT Incorporation caught up in parliament prorogation
Oman Air in Sri Lankan skies
Sri Lanka’s broadband shows over advertising and under delivery
Telcos see declining profitability
Rating agency downgrades financial strength of Seylan Bank
Dankotuwa Porcelain posts loss in 3Q09
Rs.1 bln worth of illegal cigarettes confiscated
Moratuwa University's 'InnoMech 2009' hopes to inspire inventors
SLPA ports losing ground to SAGT
Japanese investors urged to make use of Indian market through Sri Lanka
Dialog improves performance in third quarter of 2009
Brandix to dazzle Design Festival with breath-taking fashion show
Standard Chartered appoints new Sri Lanka CEO
Road Map mooted to retain GSP+ concessions
Letter - Share market – incentive to gamble
Insurance brokers group appoints a new council
Sri Lanka Tourism launches international campaign
Letter - Kerala wants Sri Lankan coconut pluckers
Nokia recalls phone chargers due to electric shock fears
Financial Mentoring Service to mid-sized firms from Accounting Options
Profits soar at First Capital in first half of ’09-10
'Feel Negombo 2009' - Negombo's Beach Festival
Environmental Resources Rights Issue triggers loss
Leopard Investment to start after Jan 2010
Memorial lecture on “budget debate in parliament”
For IT industry growth, education barriers must be overcome

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2009 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution