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.