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Garment Industry TUs call for 70% wage hike similar to Tea Industry! 

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In a dramatic turn of events, the garment industry in Sri Lanka is on the verge of a major upheaval.

Trade unions representing garment workers are set to meet on June 26th, aiming to orchestrate island-wide strikes to demand a substantial 70% wage increase.

This move comes in the wake of a controversial decision by the government to significantly raise wages for tea and rubber workers, igniting widespread dissatisfaction and unrest among garment workers who currently earn a paltry 24,000 LKR per month.

The recent wage hike for tea and rubber workers, raising their daily earnings to 1,700 LKR, has spotlighted the glaring wage disparities across different industries managed by the Wages Board.

Historically one of the highest-paid sectors, the tea and rubber industries have now further widened the gap, leaving garment workers feeling increasingly marginalized and underpaid.

Garment industry workers, who play a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s export economy, are now rallying together, their voices growing louder against what they perceive as an unjust disparity. They argue that if tea estate workers, who often do not complete a full 8-hour work schedule, can receive a 70% wage increase, then they, who contribute significantly more hours, definitely deserve equal compensation.

The trade unions have been quick to mobilize, with preliminary meetings already setting the stage for a potential showdown. The upcoming meeting on June 26th is expected to be a decisive moment, potentially sparking a wave of strikes that could cripple production across the island.

Critics of the government’s decision to raise wages for tea and rubber workers argue that while well-intentioned, it was an impractical move that failed to account for the broader economic implications and was curated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe merely targeting the promise of the estate block vote by the current Minister Jeevan Thondaman.

Now, as the garment industry gears up for action, the potential for economic disruption looms large. The garment sector is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy, and prolonged strikes could have severe repercussions, both domestically and on the global stage.

As tension mounts, the government’s response will be crucial in determining the outcome of this brewing crisis.

This sets an adverse precedent for the Sri Lankan Economy and paves the way for many more industries coming forward due to this unwanted politically motivated salary gap created with the 70% tea industry salary hike.

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SL squad announced for T20I series against B’desh

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Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to begin on July 10.

The squad will be led by Charith Asalanka, with notable inclusions such as Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, and the return of experienced all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne.

Match Schedule: 

1st T20I on July 10th – PICS, Kandy 

2nd T20I on July 13th – RDICS Dambulla

3rd T20I on July 16th – RPICS Colombo

The T20I squad is as follows : 

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Sanjog Gupta named ICC CEO

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointment of Sanjog Gupta as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Sanjog will assume office on July 7th, 2025, becoming the 07th CEO of the ICC.

Sanjog Gupta currently serves as CEO – Sports & Live Experiences at JioStar and brings with him over two decades of cross-functional experience.ICC Chairman, Jay Shah said: “I am pleased to announce that Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the CEO of the ICC. Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialisation, which will be invaluable for the ICC.

“His deep understanding of the global sports as well as M&E landscape combined with his continued curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and passion for technology will prove essential in our ambition to grow the game in the coming years. Our goal is to move beyond traditional boundaries and establish cricket as a regular sport in the Olympics, growing its expanse across the world and deepening its roots in its core markets.

“We considered several exceptional candidates for this position, but the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Sanjog. The ICC Board Directors look forward to working closely with him, and I would like to welcome him on behalf of everyone at the ICC.”

Sanjog Gupta, ICC CEO-designate, commented: “It is a privilege to have this opportunity, especially at a time when cricket is poised for unprecedented growth and enjoys the passionate support of almost 2 billion fans worldwide. These are exciting times for the sport as marquee events grow in stature, commercial avenues widen and opportunities such as the women’s game scale in popularity. Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the rapid acceleration of technology deployment/adoption could act as force-multipliers for the Cricket movement around the world .”

“I look forward to contributing to the next phase of cricket’s evolution, expanding its global footprint, enhancing the fan experience, and working closely with ICC Member Boards to build on our strong foundations.”

(Excerpts : ICC)

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Arrested daughter of neurosurgeon, remanded

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The 21-year-old daughter of Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna, a consultant neurosurgeon attached to Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, has been remanded until July 09.

She was arrested earlier today by the Keselwatta Police for allegedly threatening an official of the Bribery Commission and subsequently produced before courts.

Earlier, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded Dr. Wijerathna and two others over allegations of selling medicines at inflated prices through a third party.

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