News

Catholic Church to boycott Independence Day celebrations

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

editor

The Catholic Church has decided not to attend the 75th National Independence Day celebrations, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando says.

Speaking at a media briefing today (01), he said that they question what kind of independence can be celebrated with dignity in a country where many burning issues prevail.

“We question what is the kind of independence can be celebrated with dignity in a country with debt defaults, where 30% of the population goes hungry, where 33.4% of children under 5 years of age are suffering from malnutrition, where many are losing jobs and small industries are collapsing, where the rule of law is severely shattered, where the freedom of expression is hindered, where uninterrupted power supply cannot be given during the GCE A/L exam and where there is no sufficient medicine,” Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando added.

Spending Rs. 200 million for this kind of ’empty’ kind of celebration is a sheer waste and crime against the people. We strongly condemn wasting such a staggering amount of funds to hold the 75th Independence Day. What really should have been done when celebrating the 75th independence Day, was a public apology by political parties and leaders who have ruined this country in the past 75 years.

We refuse to celebrate this Independence Day in this manner. No one representing the Catholic Church will participate,” Fr. Cyril Gamini further said.

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

10 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

10 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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