The Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) dedicated its May Day celebration to the upcountry Tamils who mark 200 years of presence in the island since their arrival to work as plantation labourers.
The party themed the event on the demand that estate worker councils be given the administration and organization of the produce in the estates.
Highlighting their abject poverty and the living conditions even without the basic amenities, the meeting discussed ways of building a future for the plantation community.
Speakers included Rajith Gamage, Priyantha Wickremasinghe, P. Panchawarnam, Ranath Kumarasighe, lawyer Ilayathambi Thambiah and W. Somaratne.