The Human Development Organization was formed by a group of University students and plantation / development workers in 1990. Mr. P.P. Sivapragasam is the founder of the HDO. The plantation community in Sri Lanka is a very underprivileged, oppressed and exploited community. The tea and rubber plantation economic system perpetuates the dependency of the poor workers on the plantations. Women's status in the plantation sector produces a continuous lags in opportunities for them in education, health, politics, employment, and development; while their worth as individuals and as partners of family and community are barely recognized. Taking in to account this situation, the HDO believes that social change through promotion & protection of human rights, and empowering of the people is the way towards their right to sustainable development and equality in the society.