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.