From 1993 to 2020, several government projects aimed to provide 7 perches of land to members of the Malaiyaha community in the Matara, Galle, and Kalutara districts. However, despite these initiatives, nearly 90% of the beneficiaries have yet to receive official documents confirming their land ownership.
On 13 October 2024, the Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP) organized a discussion with selected Malaiyaha representatives from the Matara, Galle, and Kalutara districts to review the current situation and explore future actions. The program was facilitated by Executive Director Anthony Jesudasan, Program Director Lavina Hasanthi, National Program Officer Franzis Rajan, Field Manager Anton Wanaththaiya, Field Advisor S. Sadasivam, and District Coordinators A. Jesman (Matara) and K. Yogasuji (Kalutara).
After in-depth discussions, the participants agreed to take the following steps:
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Collect accurate data to establish the extent of the issue.
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Organize a national-level media discussion to raise public awareness.
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Conduct a planning meeting following the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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Engage with relevant authorities to work towards a permanent resolution of the matter.
The Malaiyaha representatives expressed their heartfelt views and shared their lived experiences, underscoring the urgency of resolving this long-standing land ownership issue.
