Victory for Plantation Workers: Minimum Daily Wage Hiked

A gazette notification has been released, officially raising the minimum daily wage of tea plantation laborers to Rs. 1,700. The announcement came from Labour Commissioner General H.K.K. Jayasundara, following a directive from the Labour Minister, as confirmed by the Commissioner General of Labour.

Furthermore, it was specified that any public or state objections to this decision must be submitted before noon on May 15.

"CBK Acknowledges Historic Error: Supporting Maithri in 2015"

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga reflected on her past decision-making, acknowledging what she described as a "historical error" in nominating former President Maithripala Sirisena as a Presidential candidate in 2015.

Highlighting the current state of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Kumaratunga pointed fingers at two individuals whom she believes bear responsibility for the party's plight, noting her own removal from the party alongside another figure. Yet, she emphasized her belief in the leadership of Acting President Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, affirming his stewardship as emblematic of the genuine SLFP.

Aluthgamage Cleared of Money Laundering Allegations

Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage breathed a sigh of relief today as the Colombo High Court acquitted and released him from the long-standing case involving the alleged purchase of a house worth Rs.27 million at Kynsey Road.

 After a protracted trial, the Colombo High Court Judge delivered a verdict, stating that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations against Aluthgamage beyond a reasonable doubt.

Final rites of late State Minister Sanath Nishantha at Rajakadalu

The remains of State Minister of Water Supply, Sanath Nishantha, who died in a car accident on the Colombo-Katunayake expressway, was cremated today (28) at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Rajakadalu. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Online Safety Bill passed in Parliament

 Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill, which seeks to regulate online content, was passed in Parliament with amendments on Wednesday (24), amidst objectios from opposition politicians and activists who allege the new law will muzzle free speech.

Accordingly, the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed the House that the Online Safety Bill was passed in the Committee Stage with amendments.

Supreme Court Declares Duminda Silva Pardon Unlawful

 Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the presidential pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva by ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was unlawful.

Silva, alongside four others, was convicted in 2016 by the High Court for the 2011 murder of politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

Harsha de Silva appointed new COPF chairman

Sri Lanka main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has been appointed as chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) following a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, de Silva’s office confirmed.

The development follows months of controversy around the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) allegedly blocking de Silva’s appointment to the post, despite the president having agreed to it.

Millions Allocated for Former Presidents in 2023

-Millions continue to be allocated for past heads of state in 2023 with a bulk of it going towards the maintenance of their state homes and vehicles

-The state has to allocate for 4 past Presidents, namely Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Hema Premadasa, wife of the late Ranasinghe Premadasa also gets a budget allocation under this category

They were plotting to kills us - Wasantha Mudalige

The Convener of the Inter-University Students' Federation Wasantha Mudalige attended a media briefing for the first in 167 days on Thursday (2).

At this media briefing, he made certain startling revelations about what he experienced during his detention.

According to Wasantha Mudalige he was arrested by a police officer identified as ASP Mahinda Wiloarachchi from the Peliygaoda Special Police Unit.

Special statement from Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special statement addressing the nation commenced, a short while ago.

He stated that last Thursday, he had accepted the Premiership of Sri Lanka and that it was not what he had asked for.

Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Prime Minister

From Thursday (12) Sri Lanka has a new Prime Minister, Ranil Wickrmesinghe who has already held the post on several occasions. He was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

‘We will not leave the country’ - Namal

Sri Lanka’s Mahinda Rajapaksa -- who resigned as prime minister after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters and sparked a day of violence -- will not flee the country, his son MP Namal Rajapaksa told AFP on Tuesday.

He said the Rajapaksa family had no plans to leave Sri Lanka despite weeks of protests demanding they relinquish power.

Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (9) after violent scenes were witnessed in Colombo.

Speaking to The Morning, Prime Minister’s Secretary Rohan Weliwita confirmed that the letter was sent to the President yesterday evening.

President calls Sajith to form Govt

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked the Prime Minister-led Cabinet to resign and pave the way to form a national programme to stabilise the country ending the current crises, Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa told the media yesterday (08).

He also said, the Prime Minister’s decision to resign would either be made today or in the coming few days.

“Once the Prime Minister resigns the Cabinet stands automatically dissolved. The President requested us to resign to end this political stalemate,” he added.

Prime Minister’s resignation doubtful - Dayasiri

General Secretary of the SLFP and former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara expressed doubts about the proposed statement to be made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today before his resignation as there was a move to stage a protest by a few former SLPP pradeshiya saba members before the Presidential Secretariat demanding the premier not to resign.

‘I have information that Prime Minister Rajapaksa had summoned a few selected number of former PS members to Temple Trees and told them to stage a protest. If this happens today, the modus operandi is to say that ‘How I can resign, (sic) when people ask me not to do so?’.

Ranil W’s thoughts on present priorities

UNP leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the country is fast sliding into a very serious food crisis. “The Finance Minister the other day informed Parliament of the present status of the economy.

“Loan interest rates have been increased by around 12 to 13 per cent. Dollar reserves have dropped to unprecedented lows. There is no way to import fuel, gas and fertilizers. Such a situation leads to a food crisis. The government mismanaged this crisis right from the beginning. Now it has grown to catastrophic proportions,” he said.

JVP challenges Yoshitha to go to court

The JVP says that they are ready to face any defamation case by Yoshitha Rajapaksa if the latter moves court challenging the party’s latest revelations on his alleged deals and excesses.

Former JVP MP and Kalutara District MP, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said on Friday that it was open to Yoshitha to go before the courts as the latter has recently challenged JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s expose of a number of corruption files with evidence to prove corrupt deals of abuse of power by many including Yoshitha.

SJB to support BASL’s proposals

Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) says it has decided to extend support to the proposals brought forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to restore political and economic stability in Sri Lanka, which includes the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

The party said in a statement that it would support a national program based on a series of proposals put forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to resolve the serious national crisis in the country.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya re-elected as Deputy Speaker

SLFP MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was today re-elected Deputy Speaker by a majority of 83 votes in a secret ballot. A total of 148 members voted for Mr. Siyambalapitiya and SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar obtained 65 votes. 

Three votes were rejected. SLFP MP Nimal Siripala De Silva proposed Mr. Siyambalapitiya's name while SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella proposed Bakeer Markar's name. Minister G.L. Peiris said the government would also support Mr. Siyambalapitiya. Deputy Speaker's post fell vacant after Ranjith Siyambalapitiya resigned as the Deputy Speaker recently.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa to Sue AKD

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the Chief of Prime Minister's Staff said that he would file law suit against the claims made by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at an event yesterday (3) at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

 Dissanayake, revealing several 'files' with regard to alleged fraud and corruptions of politicians, businesspersons and state officials alleged that Yoshitha Rajapaksa owns several lands.