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Govt. squeezing the life out of people: Prof. Janak

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2022

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Any government in the world uses taxes as a main way to secure its income but we are very careful when talking about the Inland Revenue Act and related income and expenses, Professor Janak Kumarasinghe of the Business Studies Department at Sri Jayewardenepura University said.

He said that the imposition of new taxes will affect employment and unemployment, the income and expenses of a business and the consumption of the general public in the country.

Commenting further, he also said the government is trying to tell the world to downgrade the country’s status from lower middle income to low income.

“The government that tries to portray Sri Lanka as a poor country to the world is working hard to collect maximum taxes from the poor in the country. This shows a complete contradiction in managing the economy. If we are poor, the government should work actively to boost the economy and create new investment opportunities. Taxes have been imposed instead depriving even the opportunities given to start new businesses. More taxes discourages new businesses. This economy, which has not enabled new income generating avenues, has imploded.”

“A negative economic growth causes further collapse and shrinking of the economy. This is like squeezing people’s life out of them and telling them to breathe at the same time. What the government should have done was to create new sources of income. Government revenue should be increased while expenditure related to fiscal policy should be reduced. However, the government has focused only on increasing revenue without paying attention to cutting costs. People who are responsible for this crisis have placed the burden on the people. We can see that they are trying to stay in power in the future by placing all the burden on the people and by rescuing those who have committed fraud and corruption.” he said.

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Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

17 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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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

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Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

17 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)

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Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners

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CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

18 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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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.