New authority to provide housing for estate workers

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The New Villages Development Authority for Plantation Regions was established yesterday(February 07). The purpose of this new authority is to provide solutions to housing issues and to improve the living conditions of the estate workers. Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera presented appointment letters to the newly appointed officers of the authority during the event. Addressing the gathering Minister Mangala Samaraweera, said that the workforce engaged in tea plantations is one of the biggest strengths for Sri Lanka. He went on to state "despite the significant contribution to the economy, we notice that estate workers have poor living conditions." He accepted that as a government they were unable to appreciate and reciprocate the commitment and contribution made by the ancestors of the estate workers. He concluded that the UNF government is well aware and will ensure that similar mistakes will not recur.