ISD Kandy News Articles

At a recent media conference, ISD and civil society organizations presented a roadmap to potential presidential candidates, outlining key policy recommendations to address the long-standing marginalization of the Malaiyaga Thamilar (MTC) community.

Key Points Discussed:

• Mr. P. Muthulingam emphasized the significance of submitting the memorandum and the MTC community’s overlooked contributions to Sri Lanka’s economy.

• YM Nawarathna Bandara called attention to the appalling living and working conditions still faced by the MTC community, despite their role during crises like the pandemic.

• S. Murugaiyah advocated for new housing units and land ownership, while also raising concerns about unqualified doctors in the estate sector.

• K. Yogeshwary highlighted gender issues in the estate sector, stressing the need for women’s empowerment.

• KP Chaminda Piyasekara pointed out the ongoing difficulties in obtaining identity cards and unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.

This collective effort underscores the importance of addressing these pressing issues as part of Sri Lanka’s path forward.

In a groundbreaking move, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) from Nuwara Eliya and Matale, representing the Malaiyaga Thamilar (Hill Country Tamils), have taken a bold step towards political empowerment in the 2024 Presidential Elections. For the first time, the community has shifted from being passive recipients of political promises to active participants in the democratic process by submitting citizen charters to the presidential candidates.

This initiative, led by the Institute of Social Development (ISD), has given the Malaiyaga Thamilar community a platform to voice their pressing issues. The citizen charters highlight the struggles faced in estate divisions, emphasizing concerns like land ownership, housing, healthcare, and identity documentation, while addressing the deteriorating living and working conditions in the plantation sector.

For over two centuries, the Malaiyaga Thamilar have endured systemic marginalization. Now, through these charters, the community is demanding real change and accountability from those seeking office. This is a powerful example of how marginalized communities can unite and use their votes to make an impact.

The Institute of Social Development (ISD) remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of the Malaiyaga Thamilar community. In our ongoing efforts to bring attention to the urgent needs and concerns of our people, ISD is proud to announce that we will be submitting a comprehensive memorandum to potential presidential candidates. This memorandum includes over ten critical demands that address key issues affecting our community.

To mark this significant occasion, ISD is organizing a public event on 5th September 2024 at Cinecita Town Hall, Nuwara Eliya. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m., and will be followed by a public demonstration to further amplify our voices and draw attention to our cause.

We invite all members of the community, supporters, and advocates of social justice to join us in this crucial movement. Your presence and support will be instrumental in ensuring that the needs and rights of the Malaiyaga Thamilar community are heard and addressed at the highest levels of government.

Efforts to promote the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190 (C190) have included a series of awareness campaigns targeting various stakeholders, such as NGOs, trade unions, women’s organizations, and parliamentarians. Key activities have involved conducting study circle sessions, organizing virtual meetings, distributing informative leaflets, and engaging directly with policymakers through letters. These initiatives aimed to educate communities about C190, its significance in safeguarding workers’ rights, particularly for women, and its implications for workplace safety. The campaigns have successfully raised awareness among a wide range of community members and leaders, fostering support for a safer, more respectful work environment.

The Institute of Social Development (ISD) has taken a significant step towards empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sri Lanka’s marginalized Malaiyaga Thamilar Community

Institute of Social Development (ISD) is a non-governmental organization based in Kandy Sri Lanka, established in 1991 by a group of activists who works in the field of human right, labour, gender…

The group concluded that unless the marginalized communities are not empowered to demand and defend their ensured rights, outsiders cannot influence them for sustainable change.

The Ministry of Plantation Industries is awaiting feedback from other State agencies to move ahead with a proposed relief package for estate sector communities who are struggling to survive amidst the current crisis.

Many segments of the estate community are struggling to get by with no relief in sight, while being affected by food shortages and high inflation.