At the invitation and facilitation of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization and IPEN, a special discussion was held yesterday (04.04.2026) in Deniyaya between the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission and the Malaiyaha (Plantation) community of the Matara District.
The discussion was attended by Commissioner Nimal Punchihewa, Commissioner Prof. Dhanaraj, Director of the Investigation Division Mr. Lal, Officer Yashir Haneefer and officials from the Matara District Office of the Human Rights Commission.
Also present were Mr. Anthony Jesudasan, Executive Director of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization; Mr. Jeevarathnam Sureshkumar, Executive Director of IPEN; Ms. Lavina Hasanthi, Program Head; and Mr. Anton Wanaththaiya, Field Manager of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization.
Representing the Malaiyaha community, Rev. Fr. Sebastian, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Deniyaya; Mr. Rajendran, Principal of Beverly Tamil Maha Vidyalaya; Ms. Shanthi (Teacher); along with leaders from 12 estates and volunteers of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization participated in the discussion.
During the discussion, community members highlighted key issues they are facing, including land ownership problems, housing issues, lack of legal documentation for land, shortage of teachers and inadequate facilities in schools, lack of vocational training opportunities in the Tamil language, labour issues arising from contract-based employment systems, lack of basic facilities, and issues affecting women.
The Commissioners listened attentively and assured that these concerns would be referred to the relevant government institutions, and that further discussions would be convened with those authorities to address the issues.
