News

Conspiracy to provoke Buddhists? Dilith also accused

Published

11 months ago

May 29, 2023

editor

Police have launched a special investigation to find out whether there is a planned conspiracy to provoke Buddhists by insulting the Buddha, the “Aruna” newspaper reported.

The newspaper said that this investigation has been initiated following the alleged insulting statement made by Pastor Jerome Fernando and Natasha Edrisooriya.

Government sources said that the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe is paying special attention to this matter and that a special discussion will be held in this regard under the chairmanship of the President today (29).

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out an impartial investigation regarding the two incidents related to the statements made by Fernando and Edirisooriya.

There was great uproar among the Buddhists following the statement made by Pastor Fernando who has fled the country since.

When the CID was investigating this incident, a standup comedian by the name Natasha Edirisooriya, who hosted a comedy programme called ‘Modabhimanaya’ at a popular school in Colombo, had made several statements allegedly insulting the Buddha.

The woman in question was arrested by the CID on Saturday night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake when she was about to travel to Singapore.

Edirisooriya, who is under the CID custody, was ordered to be remanded until June 7 after being produced in the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (28).

However, she has told the CID that her statement was not a deliberate one. She has also apologized if her remarks had offended any Buddhist.

Dilith also accused

Meanwhile, people have expressed their opinions on social media platforms saying that an independent investigation should be launched into Derana TV and Aruna Newspapers Chairman Dilith Jayaweera and Samantabhadra Thera as well for making similar statements some time ago.

However, opposing views have been raised whether this is a plot to arrest Jayaweera since he has expressed willingness to contest the upcoming presidential election.

Facebook posts posted against Mr. Jayaweera.

Meanwhile, Derana TV presenter Sankha Amarjit Perera has also been blamed for criticizing Natasha by highlighting her arrest without saying a word about Derana Chairman who had allegedly made similar statements insulting Buddhism.

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

16 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

16 hours 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

17 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.