News

Eggs ordered from India; arrival date not yet fixed

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2023

editor

Eggs ordered from India; arrival date not yet fixed

Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation General Manager Chamila Iddamalgoda said that it is not possible to announce the exact date of arrival of the ship carrying eggs from India to Sri Lanka.

She said that the samples of the egg stock have been sent for microbiology tests, and these tests will be completed in another three days.

The STC is importing two million eggs from India, and it earlier said that the stock of eggs was to be received by Sri Lanka on February 27.

On the 23rd, the STC said that the egg stock had been shipped from India.

Another scam similar to Sugar Tax Scam?

Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Thushara Indunil alleged that there is a large-scale tax fraud behind the importation of eggs.

He expressed these views following a discussion held with a group of small and medium-sector poultry businessmen in the North-Western Province.

The businessmen said that an egg can be sold at Rs.25 if the price of raw materials is reduced.

Govt. member requests Rs.75 million to import eggs!

Meanwhile, SJB MP Nalin Bandara alleged in Parliament that someone from the government has asked for Rs.75 million to import Indian eggs.

Responding to the allegations, MP Nimal Lanza said that they were completely false.

Bogus case against Egg Association Chairman!

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said that legal action will be taken against a large-scale egg farm and 3 medium-scale farms for selling eggs exceeding the maximum retail price.

According to the CAA, the farm of All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association Chairman R. M. Sarath Rathnayake is among the egg production farms that have sold overpriced eggs.

However, Mr. Ratnayake denied the accusations. “Twenty eggs have been sold. There were no 20-rupee note to be given back as change. Therefore, a small egg has been given instead. However, the CAA says eggs have been sold for Rs 45. I will file a defamation case for tarnishing my reputation,” he said.

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

7 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

7 hours 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

News

CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

8 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department today (May 03) to record another statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The CID had previously obtained a five-hour-long statement from the former President on March 25 over a statement he had made a few days earlier.