Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Thomas Scaria, OSV News

PUSSELLAWA, Sri Lanka — Behind every cup of world-famous Ceylon tea lies a story of exploitation and bonded labor, according to Apostolic Carmel Sister Maria Amali. Her congregation has been working among Sri Lanka’s tea plantation workers for nearly a century.

"Sri Lanka ranks third behind China and Kenya as the largest tea exporters in the world," said Sister Maria. "Tea brings revenue and fame for Sri Lanka, but the authorities have conveniently ignored the workers who produce it and they remain the most marginalized community in the country."

Besides Sister Maria’s congregation, women religious from Salvatorian, Holy Cross, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, and Good Shepherd congregations also serve the workers in education, women’s empowerment, health, and community-based rehabilitation.

British colonists brought the forefathers of these workers from Tamil Nadu in neighboring India around 200 years ago. On November 2, 2023, Catholic and Protestant churches joined various political parties and local and international groups to celebrate the bicentenary of their arrival.

Sister Maria noted that many bicentenary projects for the workers have not taken off as most do not own land in Sri Lanka. Despite recovering from laser therapy for abdominal cancer, she remains committed to her mission.

Sri Lanka’s 169,000 plantation workers live in overcrowded shacks built two centuries ago by the British. These accommodations lack basic needs and provide limited access to education and essential services. "They are also underpaid and exploited," said Sister Maria. "Even their national identity is not well defined."

Lourdu Mary has worked on plantations for 24 years but remains in debt. "My only solace is that I could educate my four children because of the sisters’ support," she told GSR while hurrying to finish her job before the “pickup van” arrived.

Her neighbor Vijayalakshmi dreams of working as a maid in the Middle East but is held back by a loan for her daughter’s marriage. "They will not let us leave until we pay back," she added.

Sister Maria Ebisagini manages a Montessori school for workers' children. During GSR's visit, she was busy setting up stalls with parents and youth groups for an upcoming festival aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among children and their parents.

In Badulla, about 60 miles north of Pussellawa, Apostolic Carmel nuns run St. Ursula’s Girls Home founded in 1934. Sister Maria Pramilda manages this home for around 45 children who study at a government-managed Tamil medium school. She mentioned that changes in government education policies have affected educational quality significantly.

"The Tamils were further hit when the government enforced Sinhala as the medium of instruction until recently," she said. The literacy rate among plantation workers remains below average due to alcohol use among these workers affecting their children's upbringing.

Many women also suffer sexual abuse and domestic violence; however, hostel girls recover from trauma with counseling and care provided by nuns like Sister Maria Pramilda.

The Salvatorians work with Caritas Sri Lanka on human rights movements demanding just wages for workers while managing preschools for children and conducting outreach programs for youth leadership roles within their communities.

When Britain left Sri Lanka in 1948, they handed over tea plantations to the government; however, conditions worsened thereafter according to Salvatorian Sister Thushari Fernando who explained that private groups forced authorities into fixing minimum wages lower than necessary living standards demand.

Most young people migrate towards cities seeking better-paying jobs outside plantations where Sisters like those from Holy Cross provide healthcare services through organized health camps despite poor worker attendance due primarily to financial constraints preventing them from missing workdays required earning daily meals at home explained one nurse named Domilda based out Central Hospital Badulla region overseeing such initiatives regularly within her community efforts overall betterment targeted goals achieving long-term success aimed interventions tailored specifically addressing critical needs faced ongoing basis consistently implemented practices designed deliver measurable outcomes ultimately improving lives impacted positively direct manner sustainable methods employed throughout process entire lifecycle engagement involved stakeholders across board fully committed ensuring equitable treatment deserving individuals served diligently tirelessly devoted service dedicated cause 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