Hill Country women continue to face many problems: Shanakiyan

23-Aug-2026

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Hill Country women continue to face numerous problems. They work on plantations in an unsafe environment. No favourable proposals or legislative amendments have so far been introduced to ensure and strengthen their safety. Attention must at least be given to this issue in the future, Sri Lanka Tamil Arasu Kachchi parliamentary group leader and Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stressed in Parliament.

He made these remarks while speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill on August 20, 2026.

He further said:

“The important Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill has been presented to Parliament. One of the amendments proposed through this Bill is an increase in penalties. Bringing such Bills before Parliament and enacting them is important, but at the same time, many other issues that need to be resolved must also be addressed.

“Looking specifically at issues directly affecting women, our Hill Country women continue to face numerous problems. They are still working on plantations in unsafe conditions. No favourable proposals or legislative amendments have so far been introduced to ensure or strengthen their safety. Attention must at least be given to this matter in the future.

“The fundamental problems of plantation communities and their land rights must also be resolved. Increasing wages alone will not bring an end to their problems. Even after the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, solutions have not been provided to the housing and land issues faced by Hill Country communities. Their lives remain insecure.

“A situation may arise in the future where the Government itself will have to face penalties for these failures,” he said.