The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Malaysia, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Sumangala Dias visited the Headquarters of Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) which is the Malaysian Government Agency that handles the settlement of rural people into newly developed areas and facilitate them to become small hold farmers growing cash crops (oil palm). Presently FELDA holds a land bank of approximately 900,000 hectares out of which approximately 470,000 hectares have been converted to productive palm cultivation through settlements.
During the visit, the High Commissioner was briefed by Deputy Director General (Corporate Services) Mahadzir Mustaffa and Head of Strategic Commutation Mastura on the history of FELDA, demography, management and organisational structure, settler benefits and FELDA road maps etc.
During his discussion with Chairman of FELDA Tan Sri Idris Jusoh, High Commissioner Dias expressed his sincere thanks for arranging the visit and inquired on the manpower requirements for plantations managed by the companies that come under the purview of FELDA. The Chairman stated that there is a requirement of manpower in the plantation sector and agreed to link the relevant management arm of FELDA and extended his fullest support to provide employment opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals depending on the availability of vacancies. The High Commissioner was also invited to visit one of the FELDA settlements
Sri Lanka High Commission
Kuala Lumpur
23 June 2023
