News

No pension paid for group of retired Samurdhi officers!

Published

9 months ago

August 14, 2023

editor

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) drew attention to the non-payment of pensions on behalf of a group of retired officers of the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority.

This was discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts Chaired by State Minister Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna met in Parliament recently (09) to discuss the current status of the directives issued by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, and the Department of Samurdhi Development on 26.05.2023.

When the COPA met on 26.05.2023, there was a long discussion regarding the non-payment of pension for a group of officers entitled to pension from the date of appointment of the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and the recommendation given on the said date was examined. However, the Members of Parliament who were present pointed out that it is observed that there has not been enough resolution regarding those recommendations. The Members of Parliament also pointed out that the administrative issues of the Department of Samurdhi Development are being observed.

Furthermore, COPA also questioned the non-implementation of the decision given by the court regarding the payment of pension. Thus, when the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration asked the Attorney General in this regard, the officials present said that the Attorney General had given instructions to implement the court order.

The COPA Chair said that the matter can be dealt with according to the instructions of the Attorney General. Accordingly, he discussed with the Minister in charge in this regard, and recommended that the reply be sent to COPA before September 01, 2023.Furthermore, regarding the issue related to the approved number of employees in this department, the COPA Chair has instructed the Department of Management Services to send a decision to the Ministry Secretary before the 16th of this month.

Furthermore, COPA also advised the officers present to focus on the performance of the tasks assigned to Samurdhi officers and to give specific work targets. Also, the COPA Chair instructed the officers present to give targets for Samurdhi officers at the regional and local levels and prepare a plan to monitor and evaluate the performance of the work on a timely basis.

Furthermore, there was a discussion on how to jointly implement Aswasuma program and Samurdhi program. It was mentioned that subsidy for low-income earners will be done through Aswasuma program and empowerment of these low-income earners will be done through Samurdhi program. As a result, COPA pointed out the need for both these programs to be implemented jointly.

Apart from this, the role of Samurdhi Banks and considering the possibility of disbursement of insurance subsidy through Samurdhi Banks was also discussed.

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

16 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