May 20, Colombo: President Ranil Wickremesinghe met the Most Rev. Bishop Dr. Valence Mendis at the Bishop’s House in Kandy today (20).

The President inquired about Bishop Valence Mendis’ well-being and engaged in a cordial discussion with him.

The meeting between the President and the Bishop of Kandy devoted special attention to the estate people’s difficulties, notably the housing issue.

It was noted that even after 200 years since the plantation workers arrived in Sri Lanka, they were still not guaranteed a decent standard of living.

The Bishop also briefed the President on some of the issues that have arisen in the Central Province’s education sector, and in accordance with the President’s instructions, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff, coordinated the Bishop and the Secretary of the Ministry of Education to address some issues, that were hard to find solutions for.

In addition, the Bishop stated that the people are experiencing serious problems as a result of the dilapidated road system in plantations including Nuwara Eliya, and the Bishop requested the President to take appropriate action to develop the road system.

Rev. Fathers of the diocese, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, State Minister Dilum Amunugama, Sanath Nishantha, Central Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Lalith. U. Gamage, former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, and other officials were present at this event.