News

May Day celebrations in Colombo & Kandy!

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2023

editor

Various organizations including major political parties and trade unions have organized demonstrations and rallies in Colombo and Kandy today (01) on the occasion of the May Day.

SLPP – Campbell Park

The Labor Day rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be held today at 2.00 pm at the Campbell Park in Borella under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam said they hope to hold the largest May Day celebration this year under the theme of “Conquering ambitions by overcoming challenges.”

UNP – Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium

The United National Party’s (UNP) Labor Day rally will be held at 9 am at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo under the theme “Let’s conquer 2048 by focusing on Economy, Technology and Security” and under the leadership of UNP Leader and President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

SJB – A.E Gunasinghe Stadium

The Labor Day rally of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be held under the theme of “The Struggle of the Working People” at the A.E Gunasinghe Stadium. SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake said the May Day procession will leave the P.D. Sirisena Stadium at Maligawatta at 2 p.m. and reach A. E. Gunasinghe stadium.

JVP – Vihara Maha Devi Park

The Labor Day rally organized by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be held at 4.00 pm near the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo under the theme of “Let’s defeat the oppressive corrupt regime that sells the country and let’s rebuild a people-friendly regime.’ It will be held under the leadership of party leader MP Anura Dissanayake.

The party’s General Secretary Tilvin Silva said the rally will start around 2 p.m. from the BRC ground and will reach the Viharamahadevi Park at 4 p.m.

SLFP – Kandy

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will hold their May Day rally at the Kandy Public Market premises at 2 pm.

SLFP Publicity Secretary Thisara Gunasinghe said their parade, which will start at 1 pm, will reach Kandy via Kumburala, Katugasthotala, Ampitiya and Gatambe Roads.

FPC – Kandy

The Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) will hold their May Day rally at Sahas Uyana premises near the Kandy City Centre (KCC), MP Dullas Alahapperuma said.

ULS – Hyde Park

MP Jayantha Samaraweera said that the Uththra Lanka Sabhagaya (ULS) will hold their May Day rally at the Hyde Park grounds in Colombo at 3 pm under the leadership of its Chairman Wimal Weerawansa.

FSP – Nugegoda

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has organised their May Day parade from Delkanda Junction, Nugegoda at 1 pm and it will reach the Ananda Samarakoon stadium, Nugegoda where the main rally will be held, its Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said.

Working People’s Joint Rally – P.D. Sirisena Park.

The Working People’s Joint Rally will be held at 3.00 pm at the P.D. Sirisena Stadium in Maligawatta. Their parade will start at 1 pm in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station, Union leader Ravi Kumudesh said.

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.