The Planters’ Association of Sri Lanka has condemned the alleged verbal threat made by Minister Jeevan Thondaman to the senior management of the Ratwatte Estate of the Elkaduwa Plantations. The Planters Association has requested that the minister allow the law of the land to take its course since the eviction of illegal encroachers was done according to the law of the land.

The tea estate belonging to the state has been given to the Elakduwa plantations for management purposes. However, the victims alleged that they were dragged away, the temporary shelter was demolished, and the food was thrown away by the perpetrators, allegedly acting upon the instructions of the estate management.