President AKD Engages Plantation Workers in Nuwara Eliya 📈

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the Hill Country yesterday to launch the Central Province phase of the 'A Nation United' national campaign, primarily focused on eradicating the drug menace affecting the region. • Sectoral Engagement: The President held discussions with plantation workers in the Nuwara Eliya district (specifically at the Talawakelle Mattakele Estate and along the Nanu Oya–Radella road) to assess their well-being and social concerns. • Wage Reforms: Workers expressed gratitude for recent wage adjustments. Based on the 2026 Budget, the daily wage for the plantation sector has been increased to Rs. 1,750 (effective Jan 1, 2026), supported by a Rs. 5,000 Mn government allocation to fund a Rs. 200 daily attendance incentive. • Social Impact: The 'A Nation United' initiative aims to address the illicit drug crisis, identified as a significant socio-economic threat to the up-country community. The program includes recognizing law enforcement efforts and strengthening rehabilitation frameworks. • Economic Context: The President emphasized the importance of the plantation industry—encompassing tea, rubber, and coconut—to the national economy and committed to strengthening the sector through modernization and improved labor standards.