Nilagama Declaration Handed Over to MP Mano Ganesan
26-Apr-2026.
The “Nilagama Declaration”, issued yesterday condemning the brutal attack carried out on the Nilagama estate workers’ housing settlement in Kahawatte, Ratnapura District, and urging firm measures to ensure the safety of the upcountry Tamil community, was officially handed over to political leaders.
The declaration was presented during an open public discussion held on April 25 at the Nilagama No. 1 Division estate, organised by a youth group for social activism. The event was attended by Upcountry People’s Front leader and Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan, former MP Vadivel Suresh, political and social activists, journalists, and estate workers.
The declaration states that the barbaric assault carried out on April 22 by thugs, allegedly arranged by the Nilagama estate management, has questioned the very existence of estate workers as citizens of this country, and is strongly condemned. It further notes that such oppression and lawlessness by estate administrations can no longer be tolerated.
The declaration stresses that estate administrations must immediately stop all acts of intimidation and suppression against estate workers and those dependent on plantation livelihoods. In particular, it says the bringing in of private security personnel and former armed forces members to carry out attacks is completely unacceptable.
To ensure the safety of workers and their families, the declaration calls for the establishment of a “Workers’ Safety Coordination Committee” in every estate, consisting of estate leaders, management representatives, lawyers, Divisional Secretaries and social activists. It adds that these committees must operate at district level under the supervision of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure.
It also urges Parliament and the present Government to prioritise, without discrimination, a land and housing programme with proper legal addresses for plantation communities who have contributed to the country for over 200 years. For this purpose, the Ministry is requested to appoint an independent committee.
The declaration further states that in the event of any incident in the upcountry regions, all Tamil political leaders, regardless of party or regional differences, must come together, discuss the situation collectively, and take firm united decisions.
Concluding, the declaration asserts that the plantation community, which cleared forests and built the tea industry, will not allow anyone to deprive them of their right to live on their own land, and vows to continue the struggle for their rights and victory.
