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Estate workers enjoy new status as house owners
By Hiran Senewiratne
When estate superintendent Athula Senaratne from Moralioya Estate, about 80 km south of Colombo, first broached the question of providing new houses to workers - moving them from dilapidated line rooms - there was opposition from unions.
"The unions were not very happy with the idea but we were able to subsequently convince them and as a result, started with two (model) houses for workers," he recalled at this estate in the Ruwanwella region.

Now every time Senaratne meets workers, they constantly ask for new houses.
The new social welfare programme of this rubber estate, belonging to the Malwatte Valley Plantation Ltd group, has not only changed the lifestyles of the workers but also raised productivity levels in an industry that is recording low productivity.

Estate officials say the change in living conditions has virtually ended an acute problem of alcoholism amongst males and improved the status of estate children.
Moralioya estate is one of the few estates to develop a self-help housing scheme helping to raise the dignity of labour. Senaratne says they have constructed 30 new houses which are already being occupied by workers while a few more are expected to be built before the year ends.

"The uniqueness of this concept is that the existing line houses are being demolished and detached houses are being built on the same land area," he said adding the estate began this housing project with the assistance of the Plantation Social Welfare Trust Fund which receives funds from donor countries to improve the welfare of estate workers.

Every permanent worker who has worked for more than five years can apply - under this scheme - for a loan of Rs. 40,000 to build a house on a seven perch plot of land. The loan is recovered through a 13 percent monthly wage cut - as an installment - for a period of 15 years. An additional Rs. 40, 000 is given as a grant to complete the house.Officials said estate workers who have lived for generations in traditional line rooms, have been given the opportunity of living in separate houses with all the basic facilities.

Many of the new houses have tiled floors, TV and music sets, attached toilets, pantries, and household appliances - a clear indication of the elevated living conditions of these previously, low status people."The new (housing) move or concept has brought about a closer relationship between the management and the workers in the estate," Senaratne said..Every member of the family has participated in the construction of their respective houses, often working late into the night with the support of neighbours.

Estate worker K. Pathmaraja, an occupant of one of these houses said he was very grateful to the "Loku Mahathaya" (Estate Superintendent) who helped him to build his house." We have our own house, it is a pleasure to work in this estate now that we can live with dignity," he said.

Pathmaraja said his family had worked and lived for generations in line houses and it was a completely new experience to finally live in a separate house. "When we were living in line rooms, many families lived in the same line. It was very difficult for us even to sleep at night," another worker K. S. Selladurai said. Many of the workers who live in line houses are attending work regularly to be eligible for this scheme.

Regular attendance is a pre-requisite to qualify for a housing loan. Absenteeism has dropped while many workers and their families want to remain on estates because of the housing plan. In many other estates, labour is in short supply as workers move away from estates to take up better-paying jobs. M. Pushpamalie, who lives in a line room, said she was looking forward to coming under the scheme and living in a separate house.

Ceylinco joins SLT to promote Internet TV unit
Two Sri Lankan corporate giants, Ceylinco Consolidated and Sri Lanka Telecom, last week joined forces to promote Sri Lanka's first ever Internet Television unit, thus further strengthening their commitment towards developing IT in Sri Lanka.

The new Ceylinco Internet TV unit, marketed by Lanka Ecom Technologies Ltd (LET), a member of Ceylinco Consolidated, enables users to surf the Internet and access e-mail through their existing TV sets, in the comfort of their homes. This tie-up is expected to enhance and develop IT knowledge among the Sri Lankan population, which at present accounts for a mere 2 percent.

The significant feature of this tie-up is the possibility of widespread Internet accessibility by all Sri Lankans, supported by SLT's countrywide coverage, and Lanka Ecom Technologies' dedicated island-wide dealer network, which has been mobilised to promote these units around the country, a Ceylinco statement noted.

Controversial travel organisation formed
The controversial Sri Lanka Association of Travel and Tourism (SLATT) was launched recently in Colombo. Udaya Nanayakkara, founder President of the SLAAT told The Sunday Times FT that the SLAAT consists of members from all sectors of the travel and tourism trade.

"Therefore the SLATT will act as an umbrella association which looks in to the needs of everybody in the industry," he said. Minister of Travel and Tourism Gamini Lokuge said that it is a positive sign that all sectors in the industry have come together to form a united body. He added that the government doesn't consider individuals involved in the travel trade as mere businessmen but as a group of friends who helps develop the economy of the country.

Though many from all sectors of the travel trade had joined the SLAAT a group of members of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) were of the view that the formation of this new association was not necessary and that it was mainly for personal gains. They said that one uniform association could be formed by changing the constitution of the TAASL since it has existed for over 28 years.

They even pointed out that this new association does not have a uniform fee for everybody. However Nanayakkara, asked about the allegations, said the TAASL being restructured into an association to look after all sectors of the trade is not possible, as there had been a group that had lost faith in the TAASL.

He added that there is a variation in the membership fee and said that the idea was to collect a membership fee according to an individual's earnings.

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