News

Speaker’s office refutes claims over OSB

Published

3 months ago

February 6, 2024

editor

The Sri Lankan Speaker’s Office has deemed recent reports surrounding the much-disputed Online Safety Bill as ‘ill-informed and baseless’, while rejecting claims that the Bill was passed in violation of the Supreme Court’s determination.

Issuing a clarification to the public in response to allegations regarding the passing of the Bill, the Speaker’s Office highlighted that due to the legislative process of the Parliament involving both, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department, it is unlikely that a Bill would be passed in violation of the determination of the Supreme Court.

“There is no opportunity to act in a manner that is not in accordance with a Supreme Court determination regarding a Bill or in violation of the Constitution”, the statement read in this regard.

The Speaker’s Office provided a detailed explanation of the due process followed when passing a Bill and its process of enactment in a bid to ‘set the record straight’ and to prevent the public from being ‘duped’.

Thus, The Speaker’s Office assured that while the Online Safety Bill was passed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s determination, those parliamentarians who still claim otherwise are urged to “specifically mention what recommendations were ignored”, so that the relevant authorities could respond to these allegations accordingly.

“The Speaker has no discretion on such matters”, the statement further read, emphasising that the Parliament Speaker has no discretion to enact laws and make amendments to Bills.

Attached below is the full statement:

Speakers-Statement-English Download

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

2 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

2 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

3 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.