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Estate sector wages: SL to tell India about Rs. 1,000

05 Jan 2021

The Government of Sri Lanka in its discussions with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, will convey its commitment to getting the estate and plantation sector workers’ daily wage raised to Rs 1,000. Speaking to The Morning in response to a query on what would be on the agenda for the bilateral discussions, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella, whilst acknowledging that the daily wage hike had not yet materialised, owing to certain plantation owners not agreeing to certain aspects of the matter, pointed out that still for all, India would welcome the news that the Government had agreed in principle concerning the wage hike and the amount that is sought to be increased. At present, estate and plantation sector workers receive a daily wage of Rs 700. Devolution of power and Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, are other issues that are likely to be discussed during these bilateral talks. Responding to questions as to whether the issues of Indian fishermen trespassing on Sri Lankan waters and the devolution of power as stipulated under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution too would be on the agenda, he added that while there was no firm agenda pertaining to the 48-hour visit of Dr. Jaishankar, the two said issues were likely to be taken up. “The fisheries conflict has been a longstanding one, while the matter concerning devolution has been one that has been raised by India. Therefore, India may be interested in expressing opinions in this regard,” he further explained.    Dr. Jaishankar arrives in Sri Lanka today (5) for a three-day official visit under the bio-bubble concept amidst existing Covid-19 travel restrictions. The Indian Minister was invited to the country by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Minister Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Gunawardena tomorrow (6), The Morning learnt. The Indian External Affairs Minister is the first foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka in 2021 and it is the Minister’s first foreign visit for the new year. A media release by the Foreign Ministry states that both parties are looking forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship in multiple areas of co-operation through high-level exchanges.   


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