News

“No investments coming in under new capital-based package”

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2022

editor

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on investment Promotion advised the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to clearly communicate to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Treasury that there are no investments coming in under the new enhance capital-based package and therefore a new package should be introduced.

This issue was addressed at the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Investment Promotion held recently (15), chaired by State Minister of Investment Promotion – Dilum Amunugama.

Addressing the aforesaid issue, Member of Parliament – Dhammika Perera emphasized the importance of clearly communicating the aforesaid to the CBSL and the Treasury as they need to have a clear understanding on the matter when carrying out negotiations with the IMF.

Accordingly, the Committee instructed the BOI to present data on how many projects have been received under the enhance capital-based package and how much employment and investment have been brought in under the new package at its next meeting.

Responding to the said concern, BOI officials present stated that there is no concession that they can offer as the BOI in par with the other countries, because all the tax holidays were removed and therefore a decline can be observed in the investors coming in.

Furthermore, the possibility of amending the law to enable foreigners to purchase land was also discussed.

State Ministers Diana Gamage, Prasanna Ranaweera, A. Aravindh Kuma as well as MPs Milan Jayathilake, Janaka Wakkumbura and Gunathilaka Rajapaksha were present at the Committee meeting held.

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

11 hours ago

May 4, 2024

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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)

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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