News

Beauty queen alleges she was asked for sexual bribes

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2022

editor

Magen Ratata Organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte claimed that the Sri Lanka representative for Mrs. Grand International 2022, Chamika Withanawasam, had allegedly been asked for sexual bribes.

Rasangi Chamika Withanawasam participated in the beauty pageant that was held in Mandalay, Myanmar, from November 8 to 14, while representing Sri Lanka.

While describing the tragic situation faced by Mrs. Withanawasam, the Magen Ratata Organization also claimed that they have a copy of the agreement that was made with the MR Entertainment company.

Mrs. Withanawasam claimed that she had been forced by the director of the MR Entertainment company, Malith Ranasinghe to take sexual bribes. An audio recording to prove that she had requested to use drugs that were banned in Sri Lanka was released to the media.

Malith Ranasinghe who represented the MR Entertainment company was tasked with organizing this international event in Sri Lanka. Mrs. Withanawasam had made an agreement with the said company to represent the Mrs. Grand International 2022 pageant show.

According to the agreement, the responsibility of maintaining the beauty of Mrs. Withanawasam for the pageant was up to her, and the expenses of representing the beauty pageant were to be borne by the MR Entertainment Company.

Mrs. Withanawasam, who was selected for the pageant to represent Sri Lanka, had left for Myanmar. After she arrived in Myanmar, the local organizers informed her that no payments for her participation in the panel had been made.That had made her very disappointed, and the pageant organizers informed her that she had no chance to participate in the contest without making the payments.

Later, she requested that her husband, who was in the United States, send money. According to Magen Ratata organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte, by the time she had paid, the place for her to represent the country was gone.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

20 hours 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

2 days 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

2 days 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