Planters should not be taxed for non-cash benefits, bungalows and vehicles, said former President of the Ceylon Planters’ Society, Ajantha Moonemalle.
“We believe this should be waived off, as they are part of necessities to carry out their duties smoothly,” he said speaking at their Annual General Meeting last Sunday at Hotel Galadrai.
“As the Government has recognized the need to restructure the Regional Plantation Companies, we will support the Government in this regard with our proposals, as a stakeholder of the Plantation Industry. As the Government has identified the good, the bad, and the ugly among the Plantation Companies, it is time to take corrective action.“If tangible steps are not taken, it will only result in our valuable tea industry withering away.”
“We have heard that the Golden Shareholder, with a clear mandate by the Parliament, will establish an Authority to monitor and administer the Regional Plantation Companies. We recommend that independent, professional senior planters with integrity, will be suitable to serve in this capacity.
We, the Ceylon Planters’ Society, is willing to contribute to this Authority. He said they can contribute the most, with their knowledge and experience, because it is their members who are engaged in the operation in the sector.
If the Authority wishes to work effectively and efficiently, it must have the power to influence the research stations and other connected institutions in the Plantation Sector. Company Chairmen, or any professional who holds a high position in the Regional Plantation Companies, and Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, or the Planters’ Association of Ceylon, and Tea Export Company hierarchy,etc. who wishes to contribute, can be in on an advisory capacity.
A powerful Advisory Committee or board, must be allocated for the Authority,and this Advisory Committee must be chaired by the Minister of Plantation Industries, he said.
Today, when a Planter retires from his service after contributing heavily to the export income from plantation agricultural products, and unlike the other professions, they are on duty 24 hours all seven days of the week, moonemalle said noting that though they work for RPCs the land that they develop, spending their lifetime belongs to the Government and the day of the retirement they have to go by bus, because, with the gratuity and other statutory dues, a vehicle cannot be bought.
Moonemalle also urged the government to reasonably consider issuing of a duty free car permit because the Government Managed five companies are issuing car permits for those who have served for 10 years or more.
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