The Ministry of State Plantation Enterprise Reforms held a to provide an update on the status of plantation reforms undertaken by the ministry and launch the official website that provides information, inter alia, the lands that are going to be advertised to call proposals from prospective investors. The conference was held under the leadership of the Minister of State Plantation Enterprise Reforms Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Secretary Dr Sugath Yalegama. Officials of the Ministry participated in the event.
When discussing the need for plantation reforms, it was pointed out that Janatha Estates Development Board and the State Plantations Corporation are currently operating as loss-making entities with significant areas of unutilized and underutilized lands. However, these institutions lack capacity to invest in these lands. Engaging private sector to invest in these lands has been identified as the best possible alternative. Hence, action is being taken to call proposals from prospective investors who have the ability to invest in these lands.It was mentioned that some of identified lands are given in the website and other lands will also be shown when proper identification process has been completed. Proposals will be called through paper advertisement once the survey maps are ready.
It was also pointed out that the Elkaduwa Plantation Company, the state owned Regional Plantation Company engaged in tea cultivation has already taken action to pay the increased daily allowance of Rs. 1,700, in compliance with the gazette notification published by the Labour Ministry. Other companies have also been requested to implement this pay hike, in compliance with the gazette. Pointing out the very low trend observed in young workers engaging in plantation work as reflected by low levels of youth labour (20 – 30 years) it was explained that a pay hike is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the plantation business.
Subsequently, the official website of the Ministry of State Plantations Enterprise Reforms
was launched by Hon Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
Details of selected lands which are going be leased out in the first round under
the Management of Commercial Plantation are visible in the website. The website has been
created to provide information to investors, the public and act as an interface to facilitate
communication between the ministry and public. It is also expected to use this website as a
tool to enhance efficiency and transparency in the transactions.
Hon,Minister held a special discussion with the Expert Committee appointed recently to Strengthen the Management of Commercial Plantations with optimizing the utilization of unusual. Underutilized lands of the plantation sector towards the establishment of export-oriented plantation. The Hon. Minister emphasized the importance of bringing about reforms to strengthen plantation factors.
As revealed by an Audit Report, Hon. Minister Dr. Ranjith Siyabalapitiya visited the Palugaswewa Estate and the Estates of Kalpitiya Region of Chilaw Plantation to inspect the underutilization and encroachments reported nearly in 1200 areas of 54 estates overall. A special report is to be produced for the Hon. President on effective usage of those lands and their resources. The Secretary to the Ministry, the Chairman of JEDB and Chilaw Plantain, and other officers of the Chilaw Plantation Company Limited also joined.
Hon, Minister of EState Plantation Enterprise Reforms Minister Ranjith Siyabalapitiya visited Galaboda Estate and a dairy farm that runs on a long-term lease of Mount Jean Estate. The Secretary to the Ministry, Chairman of JEDB, and officials of the ministry and JEDB also joined.
A land belonging to the Kurunegala Plantation Company was assigned by the Kotalawala Defense University for the Faculty of Medicine to be built in the Kurunegala area as per the instructions of the Honorable President. A discussion about its construction work and the current situation was held with the officials of the two parties concerned.
Progress review Meeting on 30.04.2024 the first quarterly progress review meeting for the year 2024 was held at the Sethsiripaya Stage II Main Auditorium under the chairmanship of Honorable Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Progress of the 06 institutions coming under the purview of the ministry was presented chairmen of the by the institutions and their problems were also discussed here. For this meeting Chairman and the General Managers and the Financial Managers of JEDB SLSPC Elkaduwa Plantation Chilaw Plantation Kalubovitiyana Plantation participated.
