Indian Tamils first started arriving officially as workers in February 1823 under the direction of then British Governor Sir Edward Barnes. The workers were used to construct roads, railways and for coffee plantation and subsequently tea plantation in 1867. The Tamil speaking workers were brought from the southern regions of what was known as the Madras presidency during British rule in India.
In order to give recognition to this historic milestone, a stamp was released by the Ministry of Posts of India today (30th December 2023). It was released by Shri J.P.Nadda, Honorable MP Rajya Sabha in the presence of other dignitaries.
Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and the Leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Mr. Senthil Thondaman had been invited to receive first inaugural stamp during the stamp release event.
