Government Has Misled Plantation Workers, Says Thalatha Atukorala
23-Apr-2026.
United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Thalatha Atukorala has alleged that the government has deceived plantation workers, stating that the recently announced wage increase will be granted only if workers complete 25 days of work per month, which she claimed is not realistically available in any estate.
She said the government’s attempts to justify the false promises made to gain power have plunged all sectors of the country into crisis.
She made these remarks at a media briefing held on April 22 at the National Employees’ Union in Kotte, in connection with the UNP’s upcoming May Day event.
Atukorala further stated that no political party in Sri Lanka’s history has come to power by misleading the public through such false propaganda. She added that the UNP has always fulfilled the promises made to the people before forming governments, and therefore has nothing to fear in making such statements.
She claimed that while the government promised systemic change, it has instead created problems across multiple sectors. She cited issues in education reforms, including the suspension of the programme due to problems in printing textbooks. She also pointed to problems in the health sector and stated that the Police Department currently has over 30,000 vacancies, while recruitment has not been carried out.
Referring again to plantation workers, she said the government is paying Rs. 200 to companies using public funds, but the wage increase is granted only if workers complete 25 working days. “Which estate provides 25 working days a month?” she questioned, adding that she personally knows the reality as an estate owner.
Atukorala also noted that the UNP has not received an official invitation from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to jointly hold May Day rallies. She said if such an invitation is received, it must be discussed by the party’s working committee and leadership council before any decision is made.
However, she confirmed that the UNP has decided to organise an event on 1 May, as it coincides with Vesak Day, to honour long-serving members of the National Employees’ Union.
