September 21, Colombo (LNW): The minimum basic salary for private sector employees in Sri Lanka has been raised to Rs. 21,000, starting this month.

This change follows the recent passage of an amendment in Parliament, signed into law by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

The Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry issued a statement detailing the new wage structure and its implications for both employers and employees.

According to the Ministry, the updated minimum wage must now be factored into the calculation of key employee benefits, including the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF), and gratuity payments.

Private sector employers are now obligated to ensure that workers receive a minimum national monthly salary of Rs. 21,000.

This figure comprises a basic monthly wage of Rs. 17,500 and additional allowances totalling Rs. 3,500, as specified under the Budgetary Relief Allowances Acts of 2005 and 2016.

The journey to this wage adjustment reflects the evolving economic landscape in Sri Lanka. The National Minimum Wage Act No. 03 of 2016 initially set a national minimum wage of Rs. 10,000 per month for all private sector employees from January 1, 2016, with a daily wage of Rs. 400 for those on daily pay.

In 2021, amidst the economic downturn, the minimum wage was revised to Rs. 12,500 per month and Rs. 500 per day, effective from August of that year.

However, rising inflation and the cost of living have since put pressure on wages, leaving private sector salaries unchanged since the 2021 amendment.

This stagnation prompted extensive discussions at the National Labour Advisory Council, where the need for an increase became a focal point.

Following these deliberations, a proposal was put forward to raise the national minimum wage by Rs. 5,000—from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 17,500—and to increase the daily wage by Rs. 200, bringing it from Rs. 500 to Rs. 700.

Subsequently, an amendment to the National Minimum Wage Act was drafted and presented to Parliament, gaining approval on September 3, 2024. With the Speaker’s signature, this legislative change has now come into force.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): Mavai Senathirajah, the leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), has officially endorsed Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya in the forthcoming presidential election.

This announcement comes as a surprise turn of events given the ITAK leader’s earlier stance on the matter and was made public earlier yesterday (16), signalling ITAK’s position in the political landscape ahead of the vote.

Interestingly, within hours of this declaration, Senathirajah also made an appearance at a public meeting in Kilinochchi, an event organised to show support for the Tamil Common Candidate, P. Arianethran.

This dual engagement underscores the complex dynamics within the Tamil political community, which continues to navigate its alliances amid the election season.

The ITAK’s six-member committee, responsible for scrutinising the election manifestos of various candidates, had convened in Vavuniya the previous day. The meeting, chaired by Senathirajah, included several prominent members of the party, such as Parliamentarians S. Sreedharan, President’s Counsel MA Sumanthiran, Party General Secretary P. Sathyalingam, Senior Deputy Leader CVK Sivagnanam, and former Batticaloa Mayor, Thyagaraja Saravanabavan.

During this session, Senathirajah reiterated the party’s central committee decision to support Premadasa, urging the electorate to unite behind him in the election slated for September 21.

He emphasised the importance of solidarity amongst voters to tackle the critical challenges facing the Tamil community, highlighting this endorsement as a strategic move to address these pressing issues.

Despite his clear support for Premadasa, Senathirajah’s presence at the Kilinochchi gathering suggested a nuanced stance. He articulated his commitment to the broader ideals of unity and self-determination.

“Regardless of the decisions we have made, risking our lives for our freedom, I felt it was essential to attend this public meeting and work collaboratively for the freedom I spoke of,” Senathirajah remarked, reflecting his enduring dedication to Tamil unity.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): The Postal Department has announced that approximately 97 per cent of official polling cards for the upcoming 2024 presidential election have been successfully distributed.

Deputy Postmaster General Rajitha Ranasinghe confirmed that the distribution process, which began on September 03, concluded on September 14, ensuring that most eligible voters have received their cards well in advance of the election date.

However, for those who have yet to receive their polling cards, the department has made provisions to address this issue. Voters who haven’t received their cards are advised to visit their local post office starting September 18.

By presenting their National Identity Card (NIC), they can verify their identity and obtain their polling card in person.

This arrangement is designed to accommodate any remaining voters and ensure no one is left without the necessary documentation to cast their vote.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming presidential election, the Election Commission’s Dispute Resolution Unit has introduced a series of dedicated telephone numbers for the public to report any violations of election laws or related disputes.

These hotlines are part of an effort to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the polling on Saturday (21) is conducted without any illegal interference.

The Election Commission is encouraging citizens to use these lines to report any suspicious or unlawful activities they may witness during the voting process.

Whether it’s instances of voter intimidation, improper campaigning, or any other breach of election regulations, the public can now directly inform the authorities.

By providing these hotlines, the Commission seeks to empower voters and uphold democratic values, fostering a secure and transparent environment for the election.

The specialised unit has been established at the General Election Secretariat in Rajagiriya, and its staff are prepared to respond to calls from the public promptly.

This initiative also aims to reassure voters that their right to participate in a fair electoral process is being actively protected.

By establishing a direct communication channel, the Election Commission provides a means for citizens to engage in safeguarding the democratic process.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): Six teachers, including a school principal, have been detained by the Department of Examinations in Sri Lanka following allegations of leaking the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination paper.

This incident has sparked concerns over the integrity of the examination process, which is a crucial academic milestone for young students.

One of the teachers, who was assigned to examination duty, allegedly took photographs of the first question paper just ten minutes before the exam commenced on Sunday, 15th September, a report by Lankadeepa newspaper disclosed.

These images were then reportedly forwarded to several other teachers, indicating a potential breach of the examination’s security protocols.

The implicated teachers, who are employed at schools in the Anuradhapura and Nochchiyagama regions, have been taken into custody by the Examinations Department.

Authorities have also seized their mobile devices as part of the ongoing investigation.

In addition to questioning the detained individuals, officials are conducting a broader inquiry to ascertain whether the exam paper was circulated on social media before the examination began.

This aspect of the investigation aims to determine the extent of the leak and whether it had a wider impact on the fairness of the test.

If the paper was indeed distributed online, it could imply a larger network of individuals involved in the malpractice, raising serious concerns about the safeguards currently in place to protect examination integrity.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Police have issued a stern warning about the re-circulation of old video footage on social media, cautioning that these outdated clips are being falsely portrayed as recent events.

Authorities are concerned that this misleading content has the potential to create public unrest and compromise national security.

According to the police, certain videos—such as those depicting vehicle inspections near Katunayake Airport and scenes captured during past curfew periods—are being reshared on social platforms, giving the impression that these incidents are currently unfolding.

By presenting historical events as new occurrences, these videos risk causing unnecessary alarm and confusion among the public.

The police emphasise that the dissemination of such misleading information can have serious consequences, including the disruption of peace and public order.

In light of the upcoming electoral period, where tensions can already be heightened, the spread of false information poses an even greater risk to national stability.

Authorities are therefore urging citizens to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of content before sharing it online.

In their statement, the police highlighted the need for responsible use of social media. They reminded the public that the reckless sharing of outdated or manipulated footage not only spreads misinformation but also fosters an environment of fear and uncertainty.

This behaviour could lead to misunderstandings, unnecessary panic, and could potentially incite unrest in various communities.

To counter these issues, the Sri Lanka Police have warned that they will take legal action against individuals who are found to be deliberately spreading such misleading content.

This measure is aimed at curbing the spread of false information and ensuring that social media does not become a tool for creating discord.