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SL among top 10 corrupt countries: CBK

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2022

editor

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike said a government should have a clear vision to develop a country, and that Sri Lanka is among one of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world.

Ms. Bandaranaike said this while speaking at the public meeting organised by Kurunegala District MP Jayaratne Herath under the political campaign of New Lanka Freedom Party.

She said youth leadership is needed to develop the country.

“We will never forget the message of the ‘Aragalaya’. This youth struggle is a vital and valuable breakthrough in our country. A historical event. They are now trying to make people forget this event that made a revolution. What is the message of this struggle? Almost all the people in power for 70 years deceived the public. The people today reject all 225 MPs. We need a new leadership and a new philosophy. A new leadership is needed to develop the country with a united political culture that governs the country. They expected a radical change.”

“Our country has a rich history of 2300 years. Today we have no fuel, no food and no electricity. The government has completely collapsed. A country cannot be developed without good education. There have always been only two main political parties in the country; the United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Today, the UNP is divided into two. Ranil’s gang and Sajith’s gang. The SLFP has been completely destroyed. Today, the party is divided into six. Mahinda Rajapaksa destroyed the party. The Rajapaksa had a dream to destroy the SLFP and rebuild the party in their own way. The leaders of the SLFP did not steal. The former leader stole and destroyed the party. They shared the party with their children and family members. Sirisena destroyed whatever that was left,” she said.

New Lanka Freedom Party (NLFP) General Secretary Thilak Waragoda, Thilanga Weerakkody, Jeevan Kumaratunga, MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Jayaratne Herath, Athula Wijesinghe, Dharmasiri Dasanayake and several speakers also spoke at the event.

Former minister S.B. Navinna also participated in this event. A group of local councillors from Kurunegala belonging to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and a large group of political activists including former local council chairmen also attended the event.

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

14 hours ago

May 4, 2024

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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)

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Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

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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

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

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

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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