The second dialogue in a series of discussions being conducted by the Voice of the Plantation People Organisation with the Malaiyaha Tamil community at the Divisional Secretariat level was held on the 20th at the Hulandawa Sri Muthumariyamman Kovil Hall.
More than 50 representatives from the Malaiyaha Tamil community, representing company and private estates in the Pitabeddara and Akuressa Divisional Secretariat areas, participated in the dialogue.
The Hulandawa members of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization made extensive arrangements to ensure the successful conduct of the event.
During the dialogue, in-depth discussions were held on a range of issues faced by the community. These included the difficulties encountered by those who have received seven-perch plots of land but have not yet received legal deeds, the challenges faced by families living together in the same line rooms, with two or three families occupying a single unit, disruptions caused by frequent flooding, the challenges faced by educated young people who remain unemployed, and the day-to-day difficulties experienced by people living on privately managed estates.
The participants also discussed the steps and measures that need to be taken in the future to address these issues, and several decisions were reached regarding possible follow-up actions.
At the conclusion of the consultation, 15 new individuals came forward to volunteer and work alongside the Voice of the Plantation People Organization – VOPP
The dialogue was attended by the Executive Director of the Voice of the Plantation People Organization – VOPP Antony Jesudasan, Programme Director, Laveena Hasanthi, National Programme Coordinator, V. Priyadarshini, Field Manager, Anton Wanathaiya, Advisor – S. Sadasivam and Social activist – B. Lasar.
