The Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP) continues to implement a wide range of initiatives to promote the land, housing, education, and fundamental human rights of the Malaiyaha community. At the same time, the organization is committed to developing the leadership capacity of Malaiyaha women, men, and youth, enabling them to advocate for the rights and well-being of their communities. To achieve this, VOPP regularly conducts leadership training programmes, personal development workshops, and experience-sharing sessions.
As part of these efforts, a two-day leadership training programme was conducted last month for 30 women leaders representing the Matara, Galle, and Kalutara districts. At the conclusion of the training, each district committed to expanding its network by mobilizing more women to take up leadership roles within their communities.
Following this commitment, the women leaders from Matara District identified and mobilized an additional 85 women. An awareness and discussion meeting for these women was held on 19 July 2026 at a private hotel in Deniyaya under the leadership of Mrs. A. Prabajini, President of the Sigaram District Malaiyaha Women’s Organization, together with its Executive Committee.
During the meeting, participants engaged in extensive discussions on the key challenges faced by Malaiyaha women and their communities. The major issues identified included:
Living in old line rooms without secure ownership of land;
The failure to provide legal deeds or ownership documents for the previously allocated seven-perch land, and housing project of India.
The lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities in many estates;
Unfair and oppressive practices by estate management;
Discrimination experienced when accessing government institutions and public services;
The shortage of teachers for essential subjects in schools;
Limited employment opportunities for educated youth; and
The growing burden of high-interest private loans, leaving many families trapped in severe financial hardship.
Participants openly shared their experiences and discussed these issues in depth. They also worked together to identify practical actions that women leaders could undertake collectively to address these challenges through community organizing and advocacy. Future action plans were developed during the programme.
Ms. Lavina Hasanthi, Head of Programme and Women’s Programme Coordinator of VOPP, introduced the organization’s work, its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership, and its guiding principles. Mr. Anton Vanathaiya, Field Manager, explained the objectives of the programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in community leadership.
Mr. Anthony Jesudasan the Executive Director of VOPP delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of building a strong, collective community movement to address the challenges faced by Malaiyaha women and their communities. He also explained how advocacy can be strategically planned and implemented to influence policies, engage relevant stakeholders, and secure sustainable solutions for long-standing community issues.
Many of the participants stated that it was the first time they had attended a leadership and community dialogue programme of this nature. They also shared that it was the first opportunity they had to express their opinions confidently in a public forum. The programme marked an important step towards expanding women’s leadership and strengthening community participation in Matara District.
