Institute of Social Development

01/05/2026

ගෞරවනීය රැකියාවක් යනු අයිතිවාසිකමකි. වරප‍්‍රසාදයක් නොවේ!

මෙම ජාත්‍යන්තර කම්කරු දිනයේදී සමාජ සංවර්ධන ආයතනය, වැඩකරන කාන්තා පෙරමුණ සමඟ ලංකාව ඇතුළු ලොව පුරා විසිරී සිටින සියලූ‍ම කම්කරුවන් සමඟ සහයෝගීතාවයෙන් නැගී සිටියි.

අද වන විට බොහෝ ක්ෂේත‍්‍ර පුරා, අවිධිමත් සේවා ක‍්‍රම, කෙටි කාලීන කොන්ත‍්‍රාත්තු සහ දුර්වල කම්කරු ආරක්ෂණ ක‍්‍රමවේද හේතුවෙන් කම්කරුවන් දැඩි පීඩනයකට ලක්ව සිටිති. මෙම ප‍්‍රවණතාවන් හරහා කම්කරුවන් පහසුවෙන් ඉවත් කළ හැකි පිරිසක් බවට පත් කර ඇති අතර ඔවුන්ගේ කේවල් කිරීමේ බලය සහ මූලික අයිතිවාසිකම් සඳහා ඇති ප‍්‍රවේශය සීමා කර ඇත පිරිවැය අඩු කිරීම සහ ලාභය මතම පදනම් වූ ආකෘතීන් වෙත යොමු වීම තුළින් කම්කරු සුබසාධනය ක‍්‍රමයෙන් අමතක කර දමා ඇති අතර රැකියාව යනු සුරක්ෂිතභාවය වෙනුවට අවිනිශ්චිතභාවය පවතින අවකාශයක් බවට පරිවර්තනය වී ඇත.

ජාත්‍යන්තර කම්කරු සංවිධානයේ (ILO) ප‍්‍රමිතීන් සහ වටිනාකම් මගින් මඟ පෙන්වනු ලබන මෙම මැයි දිනය, කම්කරුවන් ආරක්ෂා කිරීම වගවීම ශක්තිමත් කිරීම සහ ආර්ථික ප‍්‍රගතිය යනු මානව ගෞරවය පාවා දීමෙන් ලැබෙන දෙයක් නොවන බව සහතික කිරීම සඳහා යළිත් කැපවන ලෙස ඉල්ලා සිටියි.

සමාජ සංවර්ධන ආයතනය පහත දෑ ඉල්ලා සිටියි:

1. සියලූ‍ම වැඩකරන ජනතාවට ආරක්ෂිත සහ සෞඛ්‍ය සම්පන්න සේවා තත්ත්වයන් සහතික කිරීම සඳහා ගෞරවනීය සේවා පරිසරයක් නිර්මාණය කිරීම..

2. කම්කරු නීති සහ ආරක්ෂණ ක‍්‍රමවේද දැඩි ලෙස බලාත්මක කිරීම..

3.අනාරක්ෂිත සේවයට බඳවා ගැනීමේ සහ ඉවත් කිරීමේ”‍ (Hire and Fire ) ක‍්‍රමවේදයන් අවසන් කිරීම.

තම කම්කරුවන්ට යුක්තිය ඉටු නොකරන සමාජයකට සාධාරණ සමාජයක් විය නොහැක.

ගෞරවනීය රැකියාවක් යනු අයිතිවාසිකමකි වරප‍්‍රසාදයක් නොවේ!

01/05/2026

கௌரவமான வேலை என்பது ஒரு உரிமை, அது ஒரு சலுகை அல்ல!

இச் சர்வதேச தொழிலாளர் தினத்தில், சமூக அபிவிருத்தி நிறுவகம் (The Institute Of Social Development) உழைக்கும் பெண்கள் முண்ணனியுடன் இணைந்து (Working Women Front ) இலங்கை மற்றும் உலகம் முழுவதும் உள்ள தொழிலாளர் வர்க்கத்துடன் கைகோர்த்து நிற்கிறது.

இன்று பல துறைகளில், முறைசாரா மயமாக்கல், குறுகிய கால ஒப்பந்தங்கள் மற்றும் பலவீனமான தொழிலாளர் பாதுகாப்பு சட்டங்கள் ஆகியவற்றின் காரணமாக தொழிலாளர்கள் அதிகரித்து வரும் அழுத்தத்தை எதிர்கொள்கின்றனர். இச்செயற்பாடுகள் தொழிலாளர்களை எளிதில் வேலையை விட்டு நீக்கக்கூடியவர்களாகவும், குறைந்த பேரம் பேசும் ஆற்றல் கொண்டவர்களாகவும் மற்றும் அடிப்படை உரிமைகளைப் பெறுவதற்கான வாய்ப்புகள் குறைந்தவர்களாகவும் மாற்றுகின்றன. செலவு குறைப்பு மற்றும் இலாபத்தை மட்டுமே நோக்கமாகக் கொண்ட அணுகுமுறை, தொழிலாளர்களின் நலனைப் படிப்படியாகப் புறந்தள்ளிவிட்டு, அவர்களின் தொழிலை ஒரு பாதுகாப்பான இடமாக இல்லாமல், நிச்சயமற்றத் தன்மையைக் கொண்ட ஒரு இடமாக மாற்றியுள்ளது.

சர்வதேச தொழிலாளர் அமைப்பின் (ILO) தரநிலைகள் மற்றும் விழுமியங்களின் வழிகாட்டுதலுடன், இந்த மே தினமானது தொழிலாளர்களைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்கும், பொறுப்புக்கூறலை வலுப்படுத்துவதற்கும் மற்றும் பொருளாதார முன்னேற்றம் என்பது மனித கௌரவத்தை விலையாகக் கொடுத்து கிடைப்பதாக இருக்கக்கூடாது என்பதை வலியுருத்துகின்றது.

எனவே ISD பின்வருவனவற்றை வலியுறுத்துகிறது:

1. அனைத்து உழைக்கும் வர்க்கத்தினருக்கும் பாதுகாப்பான மற்றும் ஆரோக்கியமான பணிச்சூழலை உறுதி செய்ய, கௌரவமான பணிச்சூழலை உருவாக்குதல்.

2. தொழிலாளர் சட்டங்கள் மற்றும் பாதுகாப்பு நடைமுறைகளை வலுவாக அமுல்படுத்துதல்.

3. பாதுகாப்பற்ற “வேலைக்கு எடுத்தல் மற்றும் நீக்குதல்" (Hire and Fire) முறைகளுக்கு முற்றுப்புள்ளி வைத்தல்.

தொழிலாளர்களுக்கான நீதி இல்லையெனில் நீதியான நியாயமான ஒரு சமூகம் நிலவ முடியாது.
கௌரவமான வேலை என்பது ஒரு உரிமையே தவிர, அது ஒரு சலுகை அல்ல.

01/05/2026

DECENT WORK IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE. -

On this International Workers' Day, the Institute of Social Development, in collaboration with Working Women Front (WWF), stands in solidarity with workers across Sri Lanka and globally.

Across many sectors today, workers are experiencing increasing pressure through contractualization, informalization, short-term contracts, and weakened labour protections. These trends are creating a workforce that is easily replaceable, with limited bargaining power and reduced access to basic rights. The shift toward cost-cutting and profit-driven models has gradually sidelined worker well-being, turning employment into a space of uncertainty rather than security.

Guided by the standards and values of the International Labour Organization, this May Day calls for renewed commitment to protecting workers, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that economic progress does not come at the cost of human dignity.

ISD calls for:

• Create decent work environment to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all working class
• Strong enforcement of labour laws and protections
• An end to insecure “hire and fire” practices

A just society cannot exist without justice for its workers.
Decent work is a right, not a privilege.

23/04/2026

The recent Cabinet decision on land and housing for plantation families affected by Cyclone DITWAH has raised serious concerns about the risk of injustice among residents of the families in the estate sector to access the land and housing.

The relief measure unfairly limits benefits to only those who are officially registered as workers in specific estates. This approach excludes a large number of plantation residence families who have been living in these estates for generations who are currently not recognized as workers.

The Institute of Social Development (ISD) conducted a Meeting on 21st of April 2026 at Colombo in collaboration with Political leaders, Civil Society organization, Academics, Trade Union representatives and Activist to discuss further on the recent Cabinet excision, how it will affect the plantation residences.
More concerning is that this decision effectively gives plantation companies significant authority over land allocation. This creates a dangerous situation where families who are not registered as workers may face eviction from the estates they have lived in for more than 200 years.

The collective discussion was held to address these critical issues, with the participation of Members of Parliament Mr. Mano Ganeshan, Mr. Radhakrishnan, and Mr. Palani Digambaram took part, along with former parliamentarians R. Yogarajah and Puthirasigamani.

It was clearly highlighted that the current policy framework is enabling plantation companies to exercise control in ways that may lead to the eviction of non-worker residents. This is not only unjust but also undermines the rights and dignity of long-standing plantation communities.

This issue will be taken forward to Parliament, with a strong demand to amend the decision to ensure that all victims of Cyclone Ditwah are included—regardless of their employment status. Every affected family deserves equal access to safe housing, land, and protection.

23/04/2026

தோட்டத்தில் பணியாற்றாத குடும்பங்களை வெளியேற்ற கம்பனிகளுக்கு அதிகாரம்?

தித்வா புயலினால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட மலையக தோட்ட மக்களுக்கும் ஐந்து மில்லியன் ரூபாய் நிதியும் வீடு கட்டுவதற்காக 10 பேர்ச் காணியும் வழங்க அமைச்சரவை அங்கீகாரம் வழங்கியுள்ளது. அதேவேளையில் தோட்டத் தொழிலாளர்களின் சேவை தொடர்ந்து தேவையில்லையென தோட்டக் கம்பனி தீர்மானிக்கின்ற போது, தொழிலாளியிடமுள்ள காணியில் அல்லது வழங்கப்படுகின்ற 05 மில்லியன் ரூபாவில் காணியொன்றைக் கொள்வனவு செய்து வீட்டை அமைப்பதற்கும் உத்தேச வேலைத்திட்டத்தின் மூலம் வசதியளிக்கப்படும்.

தோட்டக் கம்பனிகளுக்கு தோட்டத்தில் பணி புரியாத குடும்பங்களை வெளியேற்ற ஒருதலைப்பட்சமான அதிகாரத்தினை வழங்கியுள்ளமையானது நாளடைவில் இதே அதிகாரத்தை தோட்டத்தில் பணிபுரியாத அனைத்து குடும்பங்களையும் வெளியேற்ற தோட்டக் கம்பனிகளுக்கு வாய்ப்பளிக்கும்.
இது மலையக மக்களின் எதிர்காலத்தை கேள்விக்குரியாக்கியுள்ளது.
எனவே இவ் கேள்விகுறியாக்கும் அமைச்சரவை தீர்மானத்தை நீக்கும்படி மலையக அரசியல் கட்சிகளும் சிவில் அமைப்புகளும் ஒன்றிணைந்து செயற்படுவது அத்தியவசியமாகும்

02/04/2026

Voices from the Plantation Community Must Be Heard

Today (02/04/2026), around 150 affected people from the plantation sector in Badulla District staged a peaceful protest in front of the Governor’s Office, demanding urgent action for proper resettlement following the devastating Ditwah cyclone.

These communities continue to face severe hardships, with no sustainable or fair solution provided so far. Their demands are clear and justified:
• Allocation of land for resettlement
• Immediate construction of safe and permanent houses
• Inclusion of plantation communities in government relief programs without discrimination
• Oppose the flat housing system proposed by the government.

During the protest, a petition was officially handed over to the Governor, addressed to the President, urging swift intervention and accelerated action to ensure justice and dignity for plantation families.

It is time for meaningful and inclusive solutions. The plantation community deserves equal rights, security, and a future with dignity.

18/03/2026

Malaiyaga Women Call for Equal Access to Government Relief

Malaiyaga women are ready to advocate and lobby the government to ensure equal access to relief services, just like any other citizens in the country. On 8th March 2026, 120 women gathered in Kandy to mark International Women’s Day, in collaboration with the Institute of Social Development (ISD) and Working Women’s Front (WWF)
The gathering created a platform for women affected by the DITWAH Cyclone to share their experiences and concerns regarding life after the disaster. Participants spoke about the challenges they faced while staying in rescue centers, temporary relocation sites, and shelters, as well as their difficulties in accessing essential services.
They also discussed the government’s response regarding land allocation and housing arrangements for affected families. This International Women’s Day event highlighted the importance of holding duty bearers accountable for ensuring an effective and inclusive resettlement process. It also emphasized the need to address the specific concerns and demands of women and girls in the Malaiyaga communities.

17/03/2026

Malaiyaga Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) gathered on 9th of March 2026 in SIDA Training Centre, Hatton to discuss ways to accelerate the government relief programme for Malaiyaga families affected by the DITWAH cyclone.

This initiative was organized and facilitated by the Institute of Social Development, in collaboration with CSOs working across the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale, Badulla, Rathnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Matara, and Kurunegala. The participants agreed to update community-level data, which will support future discussions at both divisional and national levels.

The members of the National Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), namely Mr. P. Muthulingam and Mr. B. Gouthaman, briefed participants on the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Housing and provided important insights into the ongoing response.
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06/03/2026

24/12/2025

The press release highlights the severe impact of the Dithwa Cyclone on plantation districts, particularly Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale, where estate worker families were disproportionately affected. While acknowledging the government’s immediate relief efforts, it raises serious concerns about gaps in land, housing, and infrastructure support for the historically marginalized Malaiyaga Tamil community. The statement questions conflicting government positions on land availability and plantation roads, citing existing legal provisions and policy commitments that support land allocation and local authority control. It urges the government to take concrete action to ensure land rights, housing security, safe resettlement, and equitable recovery for plantation communities.

Derana News 22/12/2025

24/12/2025

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