News

Chinese mother flees leaving daughter with Sri Lankan nanny at BIA

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2024

editor

A Chinese woman was arrested by Katunayake Airport Police after handing over her daughter to a Sri Lankan maid, who had been taking care of her until then while she was preparing to board the flight.

The suspect has been identified as a 35-year-old Chinese lady, working in a nightclub as a dancer who had been residing in a rented house in Dubai with her 58-year-old mother.

It has been reported that her two kids, the youngest of whom is three years and six months old, were quite fond of the Sri Lankan maid who was looking after her, even more than their Chinese mother.

The maid has been identified as a 53-year-old resident in the Pothuhera area of Polgahawela, Kurunegala who had returned to Sri Lanka after serving her term as a maid.

Due to this separation, the Chinese mother had found herself unable to console her daughter.

The arrested Chinese woman, who made no mention of this, got in touch with the Sri Lankan maid, said she was visiting Sri Lanka and informed her to come to Katunayake airport to pick them up.

The maid had therefore arrived at Katunayake Airport to receive the Chinese woman, her mother, and her daughter, who arrived on Monday (11) on a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai.

Following their meeting at the Katunayake airport, the Chinese woman had handed over her youngest daughter to the Sri Lankan maid and had left the premises.

The maid had taken action to report the matter to the Katunayake Airport Police immediately.

The Katunayake Airport Police promptly transported the woman and girl to Negombo General Hospital whilst the Chinese woman and her mother, who had arrived at the Katunayake Airport on Tuesday in order to return to Dubai, were detained by them.

They have now brought the two Chinese women before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

12 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

1 day 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

1 day 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