News

SJB files complaint over salary increase

Published

10 months ago

September 4, 2024

editor

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission regarding an announcement made by the Presidential Media Division yesterday (Sep. 03), with regard to a salary increase in the state sector.
The SJB alleges that the timing of this announcement is strategically aimed at influencing the postal voting period, which begins today (Sep. 04).

Arguing that this action constitutes a violation of the Presidential Election Act, the SJB has called on the Election Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into the matter.

They have also urged the EC to issue an order to withdraw the notification issued by the government.

PAFFREL also concerned

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Election Commission Chairman, the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has also urged the Commission to look into the same matter.

While stating that they have no objection to seeing salaries of government employees being increased, PAFFREL said they are only concerned with the fact that the announcement comes just two days before the postal voting ahead of the Presidential election.

PAFFREL also recalls how the government turned a complete blind eye towards the government employees when they had demanded a Rs. 10000 pay rise a couple of months ago.

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

12 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.

BIZ

End of parate relief for large SMEs

Published

21 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The grace period granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under Sri Lanka’s Parate Execution Law officially ended midnight yesterday (June 30) for businesses with loans exceeding Rs. 50 million.

The Parate Law grants banks the authority to seize properties pledged as collateral without court proceedings. Although its implementation had been suspended for three months by the current administration—and for six months earlier under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—it has now been reinstated, triggering serious concern among entrepreneurs.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has stated that the government intends to hold discussions with all relevant parties in the coming days to address the issues linked to the law’s reimplementation.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has warned that the re-implementation of the Parate Execution Law could lead to the rapid auctioning of assets from small, medium, and micro businesses, putting them at risk.

In a statement yesterday (June 30), he emphasized that these businesses contribute over 50% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and employ over 04 million people.

News

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Published

32 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,