By: A Special Correspondent
July 03, Colombo (LNW): A long-simmering salary dispute at Wijaya Newspapers, a major Sri Lankan newspaper company, has now escalated into a full-blown crisis, with employees accusing senior management of corruption, favouritism, and wilful neglect.
Sources within the company reveal that staff salaries have consistently been delayed for over a year, with payments now typically being disbursed after the 5th of each month. Non-permanent workers fare even worse, receiving their wages in staggered instalments.
This precarious situation has led to mounting frustration among employees, who allege that internal operations are dictated solely by Janaka Ratnakumara, a figure referred to internally as the “competent authority”. According to staff, even the head of finance, Sumith, appears powerless in the face of Janaka’s unchecked decisions.
Despite reported objections from company chairman Ranjith Wijewardene, insiders claim Janaka continues to ignore dissenting voices. More disturbingly, two employees — Roshan Thanthirige Sajith from the accounting department and Tharanga Attanayake, a watchman from the paper unit — are said to have openly proposed halting salary payments altogether, citing financial losses.
Tensions have further escalated with allegations of verbal abuse. Several employees claim that Roshan Sajith and Tharanga have resorted to shouting profanities at staff who inquire about delayed payments. The workers say they played a role in ousting former manager Lal Jayawardena, but now face increasing hostility for raising concerns. But one employee, Kalupahana — a printer associated with the Frontline Political Movement — has emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration and is seen as a thorn in the side of those accused of mismanagement, they revealed.
Despite reports that the company earns over Rs. 300 million monthly from advertising, employees argue that Janaka diverts significant funds into failing ventures. Amongst them are the ‘Times School’, ‘Supreme’ textbook project, and the underperforming ‘Horavpothana Tourist Hotel’ in Anuradhapura. These side projects, according to staff, have failed to produce any tangible results.
Two individuals linked to these ventures, Ruwani and Buddhika of the Supreme Book Department, reportedly receive monthly salaries of Rs. 700,000 and Rs. 600,000 respectively, along with other perks. However, employees question the merit of such generous compensation, pointing out that the school has yet to enrol a single student and Buddhika has not managed to produce a single printed item of value.
In sharp contrast, editors of the Wijaya Newspapers’s flagship publications — including Lankadeepa, Sunday Times, and Daily Mirror — are said to be paid far less, despite their proven track records. Staff members have also reported that commission payments for advertising personnel have been arbitrarily suspended.
When one employee, Darshana, inquired about the issue, he was allegedly told by accounting staff Roshan and Sajith that no payment timeline could be confirmed due to what they described as “company losses.”
There are signs that internal dissent is coalescing into an organised pushback. Indika Jayamaha, head of the advertising division, recently met with colleagues Darshana Silva and Nipuli Weeratunga at the Gymkhana Club to discuss forming a new media venture — a clear indication of growing dissatisfaction and potential defection from within the company’s ranks.
Founded over four decades ago by Ranjith Wijewardene — a titan of Sri Lankan media who once led Lake House — the Wijaya Newspapers company was once considered the industry leader. However, many now blame Janaka Ratnakumara for steering the institution toward financial ruin. Kalupahana, said to represent nearly 2,000 workers, has openly accused Janaka of singlehandedly driving the company to collapse.
Senior figures are also being criticised for inaction. The editor of Irida Lankadeepa has reportedly lamented that Deputy Chairman Sujan Wijewardene has turned a blind eye to the crisis. Similarly, veteran journalist Sujith Hewajuli has expressed concern to Kalupahana, warning that Lankadeepa is rapidly declining under the current leadership.
In what may be a precursor to widespread industrial action, head of personnel Tissa Kahadawala issued an internal email last evening declaring that employees will don black ribbons in protest on the 25th of this month. The email reportedly states that the only viable resolution is the immediate resignation of Janaka Ratnakumara and the reinstatement of former director Prithi Viraj de Silva.
As employee unrest reaches boiling point, the future of one of Sri Lanka’s most storied media institutions hangs precariously in the balance.
