Namal, Nizam oppose wage increase for plantation workers; MP Palani Digambaram

15-Nov-2025

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Just as the wage issue of plantation workers has now been resolved, the President must also resolve their land issue. Certain opposition MPs—Namal Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress member Nizam Kariapper—are opposing the government’s move to provide wages to plantation workers using taxpayers’ money. 

Plantation workers have toiled for this country. The present government is granting a wage increase that could not be given in the past. Do not obstruct this, urged Palani Digambaram, Nuwara Eliya District MP of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Speaking in Parliament on Nvember 13 during the fifth day of the second-reading debate of the 2026 Budget, he stated:

The government has announced through the Budget that plantation workers will receive a wage of Rs. 1,750. Measures have been taken for plantation companies to contribute Rs. 200 and for the government to add a further Rs. 200. This is truly welcome.

During the good-governance administration we took steps to grant a wage increase to plantation workers through the government, but those attempts did not succeed. The present government has now decided to provide Rs. 200. If implemented, it would be beneficial.

Had this wage increase been added to the basic salary instead of the attendance-based component, the people would have celebrated. The government must clarify whether the Rs. 200 allowance will be provided only for 2026 or continue thereafter.

If the government introduces strong programmes to uplift the living standards of plantation workers, we will extend full cooperation. It must also clarify whether plantation development and this wage provision will continue.

The plantation industry is on the verge of collapse. Therefore, the government must take appropriate steps to restructure and protect it. The best solution is to divide plantation lands among the hill-country people and convert them into smallholders.

The hill-country representatives within the government must not engage only in political talk—development work must also be carried out. Those who today say hill-country representatives must resign were the very ones who united when forming local authority administrations.

The government must also resolve the land problem of plantation workers. Namal Rajapaksa and Muslim Congress MP Nizam Kariapper oppose paying plantation workers using taxpayers’ money. Plantation workers have contributed to this country through their labour. The government is granting a wage increase that past administrations could not provide. Do not obstruct it, he said.