MPs demand arrest of Estate official as Planters’ condemns Minster’s action

A dispute between a senior management official of Elkaduwa plantation and Minister Jeevan Thondaman today figured in Parliament with the Planters’s condemning the Minister’s action and the MPs demanding the arrest of the official.

The dispute on Sunday had risen after a senior management official with the assistance of others tried to evict three families who had put up structures illegally in the estate.

Minister Thondaman also who arrived at the location personally tried to get the official to apologise to the families.

The issue was today raised in Parliament with several members demanding that the official should be arrested.

Minister of Plantations Dr Ramesh Pathirana said that the officer concerned has been transferred and interdicted pending an inquiry.

Meanwhile the Planters’ Association of Ceylon has condemned the verbal abuse on a senior manager of an Estate of the Elkaduwa Plantation. 

The Association’s Statement said :

“ On Sunday (20th August 2023), Hon. Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman used abusive language and threatened the senior management of Ratwatte Estate, belonging to Elkaduwa Plantations. The Planters’ Association of Ceylon vehemently condemns this verbal attack and calls for an impartial investigation.   

The situation arose due to non-workers of the estate having put up illegal constructions, 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 land of Ratwatte Estate belongs to the government with Elkaduwa Plantations having been awarded the management contract for it.

“As the apex body of the plantation industry, we condemn such acts of high-handed, abuse and threat 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.”