Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
2026-02-18
Minister Viddyarathna clarified that internal estate roads are legally the responsibility of private estate companies, not provincial or state authorities, as established under historical agreements. However, acknowledging the longstanding poor maintenance and its impact on line-room communities, the Government has intervened by allocating Rs. 100 million through the Ministry's infrastructure division for road repairs within estates. The Minister also indicated that the Government is engaging estate companies to ensure routine maintenance and intends to expand further support for estate community infrastructure.
Hon. Member, internal estate roads belong to the estate companies; they are not vested in provincial or other state authorities. However, given the historically poor maintenance of estate roads and the concentration of line-room communities within estates, the Government bears a responsibility to support essential infrastructure.
Under historical agreements, responsibilities such as internal roads and line-room maintenance primarily rest with the companies. Yet, as many estate residents have long suffered, the Government is intervening. This year, through our Ministry’s infrastructure division, we have allocated Rs. 100 million for repairs to roads within estate companies and in areas where estate communities reside. We are also engaging the companies to ensure routine maintenance, and we intend to enhance Government support to provide the necessary infrastructure.