The Sri Lankan Government has approved the payment of more than Rs 4.5 billion (b) in outstanding statutory dues to over 10,000 current and retired employees of three State-owned plantation institutions; the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC), Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB) and Elkaduwa Plantations Company (EPC).

Under the approved payments, more than Rs 1.961 b will be allocated to around 3,000 employees of the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation.  A further Rs 2.024 b will be provided to 6,123 employees of the JEDB, while more than Rs 503 million will be allocated to around 1,000 employees of EPC. The total allocation is therefore expected to exceed Rs 4.5 b.

The payments, which have remained outstanding for more than 20 years, will be made to employees and former employees of the aforementioned institutions under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure.

The Cabinet approval was granted following a proposal submitted on the initiative of Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne, recognising the economic and health challenges faced by plantation workers, particularly after retirement and in old age.

The initial payment of the outstanding gratuity benefits is scheduled to commence on 10 September at the Kandy District Secretariat.