The plantation community is living in abject poverty, says Anura Kumara Dissanayake

NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament today that the governments in power have failed to ensure the basic needs of the plantation community despite their enormous contribution to the economy.

He said life is so miserable for many plantation workers due to the rise in the cost of living, and these plantation workers deserve a fair salary increment to lead a decent life.

"Plantation companies that are not ready to give them salary increments and other facilities should be taken over by the government, he said.

He added that estate workers are underpaid and forced to live in cramped and unhygienic conditions, lacking basic facilities such as health care and education.