11 July 2024 | Vol. 10, #124

Thinakkural: “Election campaign and fundraising begin ahead of official date announcement for the election | Rs. 300 billion needed annually for salary increase says Minister Semasinghe; proposes 22% VAT and 42% Company Tax hike | “We will interdict railway station masters who fail to report for duty during the strike” – Bandula Gunawardana

Thamilan: Nine companies agree to the Rs. 1,700 daily wage: Minister Jeevan announces in parliament | The Election Commission holds special meetings on elections |“If taxes are increased, salaries can be increased” – Semasinghe asks people if they agree with this | Cabinet approval to prepare Constitution Amendment Bill | Electricity tariff revision: final decision will be taken soon

Mawbima: Train strike prolonged following the final announcement made by Railway’s general manager | Two murder attempts on ‘Club-Wasantha’ had gone wrong

Dinamina: “Cannot grant a further salary increment with the tax revenue of the government” – Gunawardana | “I truly understood the value of a house when my home burned down” – President states while presenting the ‘Randora Urumaya’ deeds of ownership for housing

Aruna: 272 train rounds cancelled; transporting fuel to the airport also halted | 4,000 containers stuck at the Customs; the lorry queue is two km long

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only

Photo credits: Ada Derana

“Rs. 300 billion needed to raise government employee salaries: Will people accept a VAT increase?” – Minister Semasinghe questions

Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe,addressing parliament, stated that an additional Rs. 300 billion would be needed annually to increase government employee salaries without resorting to money printing. He proposed raising VAT by 22% and corporate tax by 42% for this purpose, questioning public acceptance of these measures. He further stated that government employees are on strike for higher wages, backed by the NPP and SJB. Semasinghe also discussed progress in resolving the economic crisis, emphasising efforts to stabilise the economy despite ongoing challenges, and criticising opposition parties for politicising economic issues. He highlighted international cooperation in Sri Lanka’s recovery and assured transparency in presenting agreements on international debt restructuring to parliament once finalised.

“Nine plantation companies are willing to pay a wage of Rs. 1,700. I am not a Facebook hero” – Minister Jeevan Thondaman

Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural

During the parliamentary debate on the Liquor Tax Ordinance and Export Import Control Acts, Minister Jeevan Thondaman updated lawmakers on negotiations with plantation companies. Initially reporting that seven companies agreed to a Rs. 1,700 wage, he later clarified that nine companies have now committed to this wage. Thondaman emphasised transparency, rebutted allegations of influence and urged direct engagement on parliamentary matters. Thondaman reaffirmed his accountability as a responsible minister, advocating for collaborative solutions to ongoing issues.

“Salary increases should be negotiated; we will change the system if the plantation companies aren’t willing to change” – MP Vadivel Suresh

Thinakaran, Thamilan

MP Vadivel Suresh emphasised during a parliamentary debate the urgency for plantation companies to negotiate and implement salary increases for plantation workers. He highlighted the need for retroactive wage adjustments, expressing concern over prolonged delays that have exacerbated economic hardships among plantation workers. Suresh criticised resistance from companies opposing wage hikes, and called for legal safeguards to ensure fair compensation. He underscored the persistent challenges faced by the Up-Country plantation community and advocated for decisive action to improve their living standards.

Photo credits: Wallpaper Cave

Piumi goes to court against the CID

Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna

Entrepreneur and model Piumi Hansamali filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of the investigations conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigations Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding her alleged suspicious acquisition of property. Piumi Hansamali is thus seeking an order to suspend the ongoing investigations into her asset acquisition that is being conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigations Division.

“No matter what campaigning is carried out by the SLPP, the common candidate is Ranil” – Range Bandara

Mawbima

General Secretary of the UNP Palitha Range Bandara stated that no matter what political campaigns are launched by the SLPP, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will become the common candidate of many groups and parties. He added that a group from the SLPP, the SJB and several other political groups and civil organisations have come forward to support Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election.

“It’s the government that is prolonging the strikes” – Attanayaka

Mawbima

SJB MP Tissa Attanayaka stated that it is the government that is prolonging the strikes that are being launched in the country at present. He added that the government is not having proper discussions with the groups that are striking and is letting the strikes prolong. He further added that the government, with no proper policy, has increased the salaries of those who are not involved in strikes and is letting the rest continue with striking.

Photo credits: Daily News

People inconvenienced by the train strike; the strike to continue; only 23 train rounds out of 293 completed

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran

The strike launched by the railway station masters prevented the running of most trains across the country yesterday (10th), inconveniencing tens of thousands of passengers and leaving them to use the few dangerously overcrowded trains that kept running or use other means of transport. Papers report that only 23 train rounds from the usual 293 were completed. Accordingly, the army has been deployed to railway stations across the country for security. Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardana stated that station masters who do not report to work by 12 noon today will be considered to have left service. The Station Masters’ Union stated that the strike will continue despite the minister’s statement.

The Dullas faction joins the SJB

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural

MP Charitha Herath stated that the Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma, which is a breakaway faction of the ruling SLPP, will join the alliance led by the SJB. Herath stated further that the discussion held in Colombo yesterday (10th) between the FPC and the SJB was successful and agreed on entering the alliance.

Common priorities: Additional stories