News

Yapa suspends 2 Principals backing NPP

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

nipuni

Governor of the Wayamba Province – Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has suspended the service of two principals who had previously come forward as National People’s Power candidates for the LG polls.

The duo had been previously reinstated to their positions by the Wayamba Provincial Council after the polls were postponed.

However, Mr. Abeywardena had suspended these reinstated principals over the stiff opposition of politicians from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, reports say.

Meanwhile, it had been revealed at a special district coordination committee meeting in Kurunegala on Feb. 22 that there are attempts to remove the General Secretary at the Wayamba Provincial Council, who had reinstated these principals.
Housing and Construction Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Kurunegala District Coordinating Committee Co-Chairmen North Western Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Samanpriya Herath chaired this special committee meeting at the Kurunegala District Secretariat Auditorium.

Members of the SLPP have strongly emphasized that not just the principals backing the NPP, but also other candidates should be reinstated as soon as possible.

According to reports, General Secretary at the Wayamba Provincial Council – Ranjith Ariyaratne, and the secretary of the provincial education ministry – Nayana Kariyawasam, have been severely criticized at the meeting.

Stating that this was not a decision taken on their personal whims but on a recommendation sent by the main Ministry of Education, the officials have pointed out that they have not done anything wrong.

Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has stated that what they say cannot be accepted as it is the provincial council alone that has full powers to implement decisions with regard to government officials working under the institution.Responding, Mr. Abeywardena had stated that as a solution, he has already taken measures to suspend the reinstated appointments of the NPP candidates.

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

20 mins 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

29 mins 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

News

CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

1 hour 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.