President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his intention to abolish the line room system, expressing his hope to provide plantation workers with free land rights and the opportunity to live in modern villages equipped with advanced facilities. 

He made this statement while speaking at the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” rally in Haputale earlier today (08), which was organized to support President Wickremesinghe’s bid for re-election. 

During his address, the President reflected on the hardships faced by the public during the country’s crisis, particularly the fear and uncertainty experienced by those standing in queues for fuel, gas, and medicine. 

He emphasized that he took on the presidency to correct those issues and is now seeking a mandate to continue the reforms initiated over the past two years.

He stated that rival candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake propose to change the current program, but doing so would forfeit concessions received by Sri Lanka, potentially leading to a decline in the rupee once again. 

“I believe the people of this country are not willing to take that risk. Their promises do not suit the economic needs of the country today,” he said. 

He said they have developed a plan to shift the country’s economy towards an export-driven model, similar to countries like Vietnam and Tailand, which will allow Sri Lanka to build a surplus of foreign reserves. 

“We are also focused on raising wages for plantation workers, ending the line room system, and creating plantation villages where residents will receive free land rights, granting them the same privileges as other village dwellers.”