Rev. Corey Sanderson, pastor of the United Church of Christ, a professor in a college in Boston, and a member of the IKC Partnership, visited three locations in Up-country: some estate communities in Deltota, Kandy, the Elwinick community, and Amherst in Udupussellawa.
The primary purpose of his visit was two fold one is to understand how different religious and ethical communities are collaborating to advance social justice while fostering peaceful coexistence within broader communities and the other one is to assess the current well-being of ordinary people under the new socialist government. He specifically focused on how plantation daily labour communities are safe guarding their social protection, meeting basic needs, and achieving sustainability.
It is evident that these communities remain among the most vulnerable and marginalized, facing persistent challenges in securing a regular, decent income, accessing clean water, and obtaining proper sanitation. Furthermore, they bear the daily burden of providing for their children's education.
In recent months, particularly November and December, these communities were severely impacted by the monsoon season. Heavy rains and cyclones triggered natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and significant capital losses. Consequently, they were forced to abandon their labour work, resulting in a loss of daily income.
For instance, they shared, "This time we can't celebrate Pongal. It is very difficult to get raw rice and coconuts." This reflects the reality that since December 2024, the prices of essential items like rice, coconuts, and grains have skyrocketed. In October 2024, one coconut cost 80-95 Rs; currently, it costs 250-300 Rs. Regular rice is in short supply, with some areas experiencing complete shortages. While the government has imported Basmati and Ponni rice, the cost exceeds 700 Rs per kilogram. Given that a plantation worker's daily wage is only 900 Rs, it is extremely difficult for them to meet their basic needs.
Rev. Corey Sanderson expressed his appreciation for the Colombo- country Region of the Church of the American Ceylon Mission for its efficient and fruitful contributions to advocacy, promoting FORB (Freedom of Religion or Belief), and fostering interreligious community networks. He also commended their efforts in empowering selected groups of Upcountry residents through education, skill development, and elderly care.
He particularly acknowledged the CACM churches in Up-Country for their spiritual practices and for deeply rooting faith in the children and youth of the region.
Rev. Rajan Rohaan
Regional Minister
Colombo-Up Country Region
