Sri Lanka’s National Security Council to discuss “violence” in estates
Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara, an ex-rear admiral, told the
Sunday Times last weekend that Sri Lanka’s National Security Council (NSC) will today discuss “security issues” in the plantations. His statement was in response to claims by planters and the police that workers are unleashing “violence” in the estates.
Uda Rathalla Estate workers picketing last September against austerity measures (WSWS)
The NSC is headed by President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and includes Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, key ministers, senior officials from the armed forces, police and intelligence, and other leading state bureaucrats. That the NSC is discussing so-called estate violence as a top priority is a serious threat against plantation workers, who are involved in a long and bitter struggle for higher wages, improved social conditions and democratic rights.
Sri Lankan police arrest more Alton estate workers
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Release jailed Sri Lankan estate workers! Defend all workers from company-police conspiracies!
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Sri Lankan government proposes tiny wage rise to deflect plantation workers’ unrest
On February 8, a Sri Lanka wage board approved an utterly inadequate wage rise for estate workers proposed by the Rajapakse government in collaboration with the plantation unions. It consists of an increase in the daily wage to 1,000 rupees ($US5.09), comprising a 900-rupee basic wage and a 100-rupee allowance.
While union and labor ministry representatives, who hold a majority on the board, voted for the proposal, the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owner’s Association (SLTFOA) and the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) voted against the tiny increase.
Eight Sri Lankan plantation workers arrested in company-police attack
Eight striking workers from the Alton tea estate in the Up-Cot, Masekeliya area of central Sri Lanka were arrested and jailed by police on February 17.
The arrests are a part of a joint company-police operation aimed at breaking an indefinite strike by about 500 Alton workers who walked out on February 3 to demand a 1,000-rupee ($US5.19) basic daily wage.
Line room accommodation at Alton Estate (WSWS Media)
The Alton estate strikers are now demanding the immediate release of the eight workers S. Puwanesary, Kanapathy Devi, G. Shatheeswary, Francis Thiresammal, Marimuthu Thamilselvi, Yohasakthi, M.K.Shaneethuni and Aandimuthu Visvakethu.