In a candid interview with the Sunday Observer, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, provides insights into the complex issues facing the estate community in Sri Lanka.
Excerpts from the interview
Q: There is criticism that plantation political leaders have not done anything for the estate community. What is your perception of this notion, and what will you do to address this criticism?
A: The estate community, comprising some of the most impoverished individuals, has indeed faced challenges. However, they are not unique in this regard. Various communities across Sri Lanka are grappling with poverty. It is the government’s responsibility, along with elected representatives, to support these communities.
Nevertheless, the estate community, despite having been granted citizenship, continues to face certain limitations due to their historical status as assets of the plantation companies.
This unique situation stems from the fact that estate companies often prioritise profit over the welfare of their workforce. The Government can only intervene to a certain extent in such a scenario. Significant efforts have been made to improve the living conditions of estate workers. Approximately 65,000 houses have been built and a dedicated ministry has been established.
Investments have been made in education and healthcare.
The perception that political representatives have not done enough for the estate community is misleading. I have witnessed the enduring loyalty of estate workers, who have voted for my party across four generations.
This loyalty is recognition of our consistent efforts to uplift their lives. It is essential to understand that we started this race late, given that estate workers only gained citizenship rights in 2003, with a history of non-citizenship spanning decades.
In essence, the limitations faced by the estate community are deeply entrenched in historical agreements and governance structures. It is crucial to appreciate that the complexity of these issues cannot be resolved overnight.
Q: Your agenda seems focused on emancipating your community. Could you elaborate on the grievances your community faces and how you plan to address them?
A: At the heart of our community’s grievances lies an identity crisis, which permeates all other challenges. While several subcategories of grievances exist, such as exploitation, discrimination, alcoholism, and the underdevelopment of children, they all trace back to this overarching identity crisis.
The essence of this crisis is the question of who we are in this country. Our community has a unique history. We played a pivotal role in transforming vast forested areas into productive tea estates, contributing significantly to the country’s revenue. We were instrumental in providing free education and healthcare services, even before those concepts were introduced in Sri Lanka.
However, today, the same community that once contributed so much faces difficulties in accessing quality education and healthcare. This paradox is the crux of our grievances.
As leaders representing this community, we face constraints in addressing these challenges due to their widespread distribution. The estate community resides in 12 districts, encompassing approximately 113 Grama Niladhari divisions. This dispersal makes it challenging to secure political representation in most areas, which in turn hampers development initiatives.
In my role within the Ministry, we receive a budget of Rs.3 billion to develop 12 districts, serving a population of 1.5 million.
This allocation presents significant limitations in terms of achieving comprehensive development.
The core grievance of our community is its identity crisis and addressing this multifaceted issue requires a collective and sustained effort.
As we move forward, our focus remains on eradicating gender-based violence, reducing child labour, enhancing education quality, improving access to healthcare, and strengthening infrastructure. Our ultimate goal is to uplift the living conditions of the estate community through holistic development.
Q: The President has initiated a dialogue with Tamil political parties to resolve the ethnic crisis. What is the contribution made by the CWC to this effort?
A: The ethnic crisis transcends political boundaries and encompasses a diverse range of communities. While the President’s dialogue with Tamil political parties is a positive step, it is equally essential to recognise that only Tamil political parties cannot solve this.
The Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community has dedicated representatives who actively engage with and address issues faced by the community.
My suggestion to the President and the broader political landscape is to expand the dialogue to encompass all Parliamentary groups rather than exclusively focusing on Tamil political parties.
The complexity of our nation’s challenges requires a collective and inclusive approach, involving all stakeholders.
Q: In your upcoming meetings with international organisations like the Public Service International (PSI) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), what are the key issues or concerns of your community that you intend to highlight?
A: My primary objective is to raise awareness about the existence and unique challenges faced by the IOT community in Sri Lanka. The IOT community, with its historical injustices and struggles, deserves recognition and support.
This community has experienced various forms of systematic oppression and has been the first to bear the brunt of many historical events, such as the JVP insurgencies and the 1983 riots. The international community should acknowledge that the IOT community has unique challenges, and their voices need to be heard and their rights protected.
My objective is not to place blame but to seek infrastructure and financial assistance from international organisations, while also advocating for policy-based decisions and the reintegration of this community within Sri Lanka.
Q: How do you view the role of the international community in addressing the injustices faced by upcountry workers?
A: The role of the international community, especially in forums like Geneva, cannot be overstated in addressing the injustices faced by upcountry workers in Sri Lanka. The international community should recognise that the Tamil community is not limited to the North and the East but extends to the IOT community too.
There is a tendency to focus solely on issues related to the North and East when discussing Tamil rights and grievances. This limited perspective does a disservice to the IOT community.
The international community should strive to understand and acknowledge the distinct challenges faced by the IOT community, which has endured hardships and struggles that often go unnoticed on the global stage.
Q: Even after 75 years, estate people are still living in line rooms with minimum facilities. What are your plans to provide better houses and other facilities?
A: Addressing the housing situation for estate workers is a priority. It is important to note the scale of this challenge. I have a budget of Rs.3 billion.
The cost of building one house has surged to Rs. 3.2 million due to inflation. With Rs.3 billion, I can construct a maximum of 1,000 houses per year.
This presents a significant gap between the housing demand and available resources. To tackle this issue comprehensively, I have established six committees within the Ministry, each focused on specific aspects such as land and housing, women and children, gender inequality, economic uplift, health, and education.
Their mandate is to formulate a transformative solution known as the Upcountry Charter, which will guide future efforts.
The fundamental step towards addressing the housing problem lies in granting land ownership rights to the estate community.
Q: As the Minister of Water Supply and Estates Infrastructure Development, what measures are you taking to address concerns about water tariff increases while ensuring access to clean water for all?
A: It is essential to recognise that the water tariff increases apply to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), which services approximately 3 million consumers. The Water Board is responsible for water distribution, and the tariff hikes are necessary to cover the costs of supplying clean water.
There had not been a tariff increase in 10 years, which is uncommon in healthy economies. The water tariff hike faced criticism, particularly after a substantial electricity tariff increase of 66 percent.
This electricity hike led to an additional monthly expense of Rs.425 million for the NWSDB due to the operation of 318 electricity-dependent water pumping stations.
The NWSDB’s total losses, taking into account various factors, reached Rs.2.8 billion per month after the power price hike. The fiscal impact for the year was estimated at nearly Rs.20-25 billion. If this money were available, it could have been directed toward improving the lives of estate workers.
Water costs about Rs. 135 per unit to treat and supply. Those consuming less than 20 units a month will get water at subsidised rates of up to 40 percent of that. The average family consumes 13.5 units of water. A family consuming 15 units of water a month would have a monthly bill of around Rs. 1,500.
The NWSDB supplies water to only 50 percent of the population. The rest are served through community water schemes and local authorities.
This tariff revision only affects water board consumers. The financial sustainability of the NWSDB is critical. If it continues to make losses, the Treasury will have to use taxpayer money to supplement these losses. It would not be fair if 50 percent of the population who are not NWSDB customers have to pay to ensure cheaper water for NWSDB customers.
Q: The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) has been accused of supporting whichever Government is in power. How do you respond to these criticisms, and what is the role of your party in Sri Lankan politics?
A: The accusation that the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) consistently supports the Government of the day requires clarification. The CWC is unique in its ability to win elections, regardless of the political symbol under which we contest. This is because the people believe in our party and its commitment to addressing the needs of the estate community.
Criticism of political allegiances should not be unfairly levied against the CWC. Some politicians switch affiliations opportunistically, and this is viewed as political acumen.
In contrast, when the CWC engages in alliances, we are unfairly criticised.
The CWC has consistently advocated for upcountry representation in the Cabinet, recognising the vulnerability of the estate community.
We believe in inclusivity and fair governance. The accusation that we prioritise power over principles does not hold when, in fact, we have extended opportunities to others when we have had the chance.
Our primary role in Sri Lankan politics is to represent and advocate for the estate community, ensuring that their unique challenges and needs are addressed. We are open to constructive dialogue and scrutiny, and our commitment to the well-being of our constituents remains unwavering.
Q: How do you perceive the current political situation in Sri Lanka? What do you believe is the way forward for the country in terms of stability and progress?
A: The political landscape in Sri Lanka is characterised by a mix of challenges and opportunities. All stakeholders must fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.
Politics continue to play a role within Parliament, which hampers our ability to achieve full cooperation.
Establishing a healthy working mechanism becomes crucial. We need consensus and cooperation among political actors to expedite actions that alleviate the suffering of citizens. The grassroots population bears the brunt of the challenges, particularly the mounting debt.
I commend the President’s efforts to set Sri Lanka on the path to economic recovery.
However, economic progress must be complemented by social progress. Devolution is an essential component of social progress. Devolution is often misunderstood.
Since it was introduced by external entities, there is a perception issue. A homegrown devolution solution must be developed, as it fosters separation of powers, accountability, and better opportunities.
We must remain vigilant against individuals or groups attempting to incite racism and hatred in Sri Lanka, potentially derailing our economic recovery efforts.
Leadership is not solely about popularity; it is about addressing the nation’s pressing needs. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has the potential to lead Sri Lanka through the next term, steering the country towards a course correction. Then the electorate can freely decide their preferred leaders.
We have to acknowledge that President Wickremesinghe has made significant progress during his tenure as President, offering a path forward for stability and progress.
