The Voice of the Plantation People Organization (VOPP) held its staff meeting under the facilitation of Executive Director Anthony Jesuthasan, with the participation of national and district-level staff.
The meeting primarily focused on the impact of recent natural disasters in Sri Lanka, particularly Cyclone Tilda, and the organization’s role in responding to the needs of plantation (Malaiyaha) communities. Concerns were raised regarding gaps in disaster response, including limited field communication and data collection. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community-based responses and collaborating with civil society initiatives supporting post-disaster reconstruction in hill-country areas.
Staff reviewed the current status of project proposals and ongoing programmes. While several submitted proposals were rejected or remain pending, ongoing support through approved projects such as UNOPS and NCEASL was noted. These projects focus on land rights awareness, peace and reconciliation, youth leadership development, and community mobilization. Challenges related to limited project duration and salary constraints were also discussed.
Community engagement and organizational movement were highlighted as critical priorities. The meeting emphasized the need to revitalize grassroots connections, strengthen estate-level engagement, and collaboratively develop initiatives that respond directly to community needs.
The organization’s financial situation was discussed in depth, noting ongoing salary challenges, accumulated debts, and outstanding statutory payments. Staff acknowledged the collective effort required to sustain operations during this difficult period.
