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.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has issued a statement addressing recent media claims regarding the alleged misuse of its aircraft for presidential campaign activities.

These reports suggested that state resources were being improperly utilised to support presidential candidates.

In its response, published on the social media platform ‘X’, the SLAF clarified its procedures, emphasising that aircraft are made available to candidates strictly on a payment basis.

The statement stressed that this arrangement adheres to established protocols, ensuring transparency and fairness in the use of military assets.

The issue surfaced amid growing public concern over the potential use of state resources in election campaigns.

Speculation in the media had pointed towards the possibility that presidential candidates were benefitting from state-funded assets, including SLAF aircraft, for their campaigning needs.

This sparked a debate on the ethical use of public resources during election periods, raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.

The SLAF’s clarification aims to dispel such concerns by outlining the formal procedures in place.

By offering aircraft on a payment basis, the SLAF asserts that it is maintaining a neutral stance and preventing the inappropriate use of state assets.

This measure is in line with efforts to ensure that all candidates have equitable access to transportation options without unduly relying on state resources.

The SLAF further reassured the public that these protocols are in place to uphold the integrity of the election process, ensuring that military resources are not exploited for political gain.

In doing so, the SLAF seeks to maintain public confidence in the impartiality of national institutions during the electoral period.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): Climate change is increasingly impacting migratory bird patterns, with an estimated 84 per cent of bird species listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) facing threats linked to global warming, according to environmentalist and legal expert Dr Jagath Gunawardana.

In a detailed report by Daily Mirror, Dr Gunawardana pointed out that Sri Lanka usually sees the arrival of migratory birds from regions such as Siberia, India, and Mongolia between September and October, and occasionally as early as August.

However, due to climate change, these migration periods have become unpredictable, with seasons starting either earlier or later than usual.

“This year, the migration season has commenced earlier than expected,” he noted.

Sri Lanka hosts a diverse avian population, comprising 435 species, of which 110 are migratory, making up 26 per cent of the total bird population, as per the Conservation of Migratory Species of Sri Lanka.

Over recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of vagrant birds—those that appear outside their typical breeding ranges.

These migratory birds play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems, enriching soil nutrients, aiding crop cultivation, and regulating food cycles by preying on smaller creatures.

However, Dr Gunawardana highlighted several environmental challenges confronting these migratory birds. The loss of habitat due to deforestation and the destruction of wetlands used for nesting and foraging has been particularly detrimental.

Additionally, the contamination of food sources through pollutants poses a significant risk to bird populations.

In Sri Lanka, unlike some countries with traditions of hunting birds, the primary threat stems from habitat degradation rather than hunting practices.

“Habitat loss remains the most unsustainable threat to ornithology in Sri Lanka,” he emphasised.

While Sri Lanka has made international commitments to protect migratory birds, including being a signatory to the CMS and the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, Dr Gunawardana argued that local legislative measures are still insufficient.

He urged the government to first identify and protect critically endangered species, then categorise other endangered and endemic species, and finally recognise specific migratory species that require protection.

Illustrating the complexity of avian conservation, Dr Gunawardana referenced the reappearance of the ‘Glossy Ibis’ in Sri Lanka. This rare winter visitor, which was observed nesting at Bundala National Park in 2020 after a gap of 148 years, had been declared extinct in the region for the first half of the 20th century. Its unexpected return highlights the dynamic nature of migratory patterns, influenced by both environmental changes and conservation efforts.

Additionally, this August witnessed an unusual influx of blue-tailed bee-eaters, attributed to erratic weather conditions.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced the distribution of cardboard ballot boxes to all returning officers across the country for the upcoming Presidential election.

These boxes are expected to reach polling stations by 20 September, ensuring that all necessary equipment is in place before voters head to the polls.

In a departure from tradition, cardboard boxes have been chosen over the usual wooden ones to accommodate the larger ballot papers being used this year.

Recognising the need for flexibility, the Commission has produced these boxes in three different sizes to suit various polling station requirements.

The Commission has confirmed that all election preparations are complete, with comprehensive instructions issued to government officials involved in the electoral process.

This ensures that the polling procedure will run smoothly, maintaining the integrity of the voting process.

Election officials have been advised to finalise their arrangements and proceed to their designated polling stations as scheduled.

The thoroughness of these preparations underscores the Commission’s commitment to a well-organised and efficient election, with all aspects carefully considered to facilitate voter participation.