News

Rahula Thera explains consequences of lateness to Sajith

Published

8 months ago

September 19, 2023

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A person who cannot make it to an appointment on time regardless of other duties cannot govern a country, let alone a house, Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thera said.

The Thera said this when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did not arrive on time for the ceremony organised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organiser Tissa Attanayaka, on the occasion of the 1,500th programme of meeting Buddhist leaders to develop religious harmony.

The event was held at the historic Vattaram Arahantha Maliyadeva Raja Maha Vihara in Galigamuwa Dewalegama, Kegalle.

“You said you will come to this event at 4.00 pm but it was 4.20 pm when you arrived. You were reminded of this lateness earlier by Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera as well. If you hope to rule a country, you must always remember to work on time,” the Thera said.

The Thera also said that he was happy about the completion of 1,500 meetings with Buddhist leaders in MP Attanayaka’s ‘Sadaham Yatra programme’.

“I think that MP Attanayaka has done something that no other politician in this country has done. He has visited 1,500 Buddhist temples and 300 other religious places. Also, I wonder if this is the first time that I saw the Opposition Leader in person. He always calls me on the phone but I think today was the first time I saw him in person. I invited him to visit Namal Uyana on several occasions but he was always busy. I sometimes wonder if this is the nature of politicians. Whenever Tissa Attanayaka passes by the Namal Uyana, he visits us, chats with us, drinks a cup of plain tea and listens to a sermon.”

“Mr.Opposition Leader, it seems that there is chaos within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. It seems that one person is trying to rise above the other by backstabbing and undercutting them,” the Thera said.

“The political situation in our country is now at zero. There are some good MPs who do not steal. MPs Tissa Attanayake and Kabir Hashim have not been accused of any theft. Then there is Mr. Alavathuwala. We have not heard anything bad about him except that he will get a small commission from a contract.”

“As far as I understand, Parliament is like a kindergarten. It doesn’t matter how much you shout in kindergarten, you have to go and ask for food. That is the truth. Leader of the Opposition, if you become the President in the future, I think you will have to gather more people. Change the Constitution from the very beginning. There is a need to change the people’s attitude. After 30-40 years of government work, an employee retires. A politician gets a pension after five years in Parliament. All this must be done away with. When these things are given to politicians, they think they are entitled to a magical world. No one thinks about the people. Therefore, if we want to develop this country, we have to change the Constitution.”

“You do not need advice from anyone else. You can learn by looking at your late father,” he said.

Source – Dinamina

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

13 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)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

1 day 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

News

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

Published

1 day 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)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners