The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to conduct a series of events to appreciate the consistent contribution rendered by Upcountry Tamils to the economy during the past two centuries.
As proposed by the President, the Cabinet approved to conduct a series of events in February 2023 to commemorate 200 years since the arrival of the first group of Upcountry Tamils to Sri Lanka who contributed to more than one third of the income made by the plantation sector.
Accordingly, the events will be organised by the Ministry of Plantation along with other relevant government agencies with the aim of appreciating the services of the Upcountry Tamils who migrated to the country from India 200 years ago and raised their living standards.
The President’s Media Division said Upcountry Tamil estate workers who are more than 150,000 in number residing mainly in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces have been a significant part of the country in respect to their contribution to the economy as well as Sri Lanka’s culture.
