News

Chinese national arrested in SL is a wanted man in China

Published

11 months ago

May 29, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General told the country’s Court of Appeal that the Chinese man who was arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Department for the possession of a fake passport, is a wanted person in China.

He told the court that a warrant for his arrest had been issued by the Chinese Government.

On the 22nd of May 2023, it was reported that a Chinese national suspected of having used a forged passport in an attempt to enter Sri Lanka was set to be deported, and that he was later allowed to enter the country via the Katunayake Airport following intervention.

On the 18th of May 2023, two Chinese nationals and an Egyptian had arrived in Sri Lanka from Dubai and one of the Chinese men had produced a Guinea passport at the Katunayake Airport.

Immigration and Emigration officers at the BIA had denied entry to the Chinese national upon deciding that the passport he produced was forged.

It was then that State Minister Arundhika Fernando had intervened with the incident.

On the 19th of May 2023, the State Minister had addressed a letter to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration informing that the Chinese national had arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss a housing project that will be launched under his ministry.

The State Minister had requested that the Chinese man be allowed to enter Sri Lanka upon considering his Chinese passport.

“The Chinese company based in Sri Lanka said that he is a genuine person, and he possesses a Chinese passport. They said that they will be responsible with regard to any punishment imposed on him, or on the decision to deport him. Therefore, I spoke to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration. I asked if it is possible to allow him to enter the country, using the Chinese passport. I addressed the letter on his advice and I did not influence him in any way,” explained the State Minister.

State Minister Arundika Fernando said that later was made aware that a Chinese national cannot use two passports.

On the 24th of May 2023, the Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, said that INTERPOL confirmed that the Guinea Passport that was in the possession of the Chinese National was forged.

The Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, said that the Chinese Passport is a genuine document.

On Tuesday (23), the Chinese National, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the 18th of May with two passports, was arrested.

The Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, later said that the Chinese National was arrested, and investigations are underway with assistance from the Chinese Embassy and INTERPOL.

(newsfirst.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

24 mins ago

May 4, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of the ADB annual meeting in Georgia.

Minister Semasinghe said on X ”at this discussion China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, he said that China reaffirmed steadfast support to Sri Lanka on all fronts.(news first.lk)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

20 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Reporters Without Borders released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index on Friday (03).

According to RFS, Sri Lanka has slipped to the 150th position in the index, from 135th position last year.

Click here to read the RSF Sri Lanka Fact File

News

Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

20 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Mr. Vadivel Suresh, General Secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, emphasized that both the Government and the Plantation Employers’ Association bear the responsibility of providing wage increases to plantation workers. These workers, who play a pivotal role in sustaining the esteemed reputation of ‘Ceylon Tea’, contribute significantly to the national economy of Sri Lanka.

MP Vadivel Suresh, made this statement during his participation in today’s (03) news conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), under the theme ‘Collective path to a Stable Country’.

The Member of Parliament noted that plantation companies, benefiting significantly from the fluctuating dollar value, ought to feel ashamed for not providing their workers with a salary raise. He emphasized that the salary increase outlined in the gazette notice issued by the Labour Commissioner General for plantation workers should be implemented.

MP Vadivel Suresh further commented:

“We express gratitude to the President and the government for raising the salary of plantation workers to LKR. 1700. However, the Plantation Employers’ Association is contesting this decision.

The estate companies that profited greatly from the dollar’s value should be ashamed of themselves for not giving their workers a raise. Expressing opposition to the decision to increase wages for their workers, who contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy by upholding the reputation of Ceylon Tea, is regrettable. The decision to raise estate workers’ wages was not made hastily; rather, it followed extensive negotiations over the course of a year involving the Department of Labour, trade unions, and relevant stakeholders.

Employers’ unions persistently refrained from engaging in wage-fixing negotiations. Similarly, they remained silent when a salary increase of LKR 1000 was requested. However, the Labour Commissioner General, utilizing his authority, lawfully issued a gazette notice for a salary hike of LKR 1700. It is unjust for estate companies to procrastinate without providing relief to the workforce amidst fluctuations in the dollar’s value.

Both the government and the plantation Employers’ Association bear responsibility in this matter. Consequently, companies cannot contravene government decisions. Estate companies claim they are in dialogue with the high-level committee for the ultimate verdict. However, all 22 estate companies are owned by five individuals. These owners are involved not only in tea plantations but also in sectors such as tourism, small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and gems. Additionally, plantation workers and trade unions must unite in support of this wage increase.

(President’s Media Division)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners