Sri Lanka, Nov. 13 -- Estate workers in Badulla have expressed their gratitude to the government for increasing plantation wages, while criticising opposition MPs for making false promises in the past.

Residents said that some opposition parliamentarians who previously pledged to raise daily wages to Rs. 1,700 are now engaging in heated debates in Parliament instead of fulfilling their commitments.

"They are arguing about how the wages were increased and claiming credit for it, but we remind them that plantation workers cannot survive on empty promises. We buy our rice and essentials with money, not words," a group of estate residents said.

They further stated that the funds generated from the people's hard work and taxes contribute to...