Business

Women workers speak out for fair pay, safety and dignity

Published

5 days ago

2026/04/21

Women workers with Rev.Sr. Noel Christine Fernando pledge that they will continue their struggle for a decent wage, better working conditions, safety of workers, healthcare facilities and for a limit to extensive working hours, from the government and employers.

Women workers who gathered at the Shramabimani Centre in Seeduwa to mark World Women’s Day on March 29 demanded a living wage that matches the rising cost of living, decent working conditions, safety of workers, better healthcare facilities and limiting the extensive working hours, from the government and employers.

Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers urged the lawmakers and their employers to understand the silent tears shed amid the sound of machines.

“We face frequent humiliation and insults within and outside work which a woman cannot bear but we go through them to feed our children, parents and other dependents in our homes, said Shriani Fernando, an employee of a garment factory at the Katunayake FTZ.

Many such sad stories were narrated on the appalling living and working conditions of female workers who have left behind their families, kith and kin to keep the wolf from the door.

“There is no privacy in a ten by ten room shared with other workers who have to walk back to their rooms late night through lonely streets, said Indrani Weerasinghe, a mother who has to feed five mouths with the little wage she earns as a factory employee.

Female workers who are compelled to leave the safety of their homes at a very tender age to support the family fall prey to men seeking opportunities to satisfy their carnal desires.

The predator could either be the employer, landlord, a friend, the partner or a sympathizer with ulterior motives.

“While walking back to our rooms men ask us whether they could give us a lift. When we refuse the offer they pass disgusting remarks, a young worker said.

Speech and hearing impaired workers said that they too are capable of doing any work as others.

They said we have eyes, a good brain, hands and feet to work. We need to be treated like all others instead of attracting verbal sympathies.

Many workers who are victims of sexual exploitation and harassment keep silent to safeguard their jobs.

“We know the outcome if we speak against the unfair treatment by our bosses. If we lose our jobs who will feed our children, said Susumali Dissanayake, a mother of four employed at a garment factory in Gampaha.

What is saddening and gruesome is the act of some workers compensating the low wage or income by offering themselves to fulfill the insatiable sexual appetite of certain men.

Women garment workers in FTZs face severe exploitation, including 16-hour workdays, unachievable production targets, sexual harassment, and hazardous conditions. Many endure poverty, wage theft, and lack of basic facilities, often resulting in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) due to poor sanitation and limited bathroom access

Landless female workers in the Gampaha District urged the present authorities to bring an end to their homeless state by fulfilling a fundamental right to live in a house of their own in a decent way.

“The manner in which we are treated sometimes by our landlords is similar to being a slave. Shifting houses each year or two is nothing short of being refugees who have no status and dignity, said A.Shridevi from Walana, Katunayaka.

“We have been living like gypsies moving from one house to another without a permanent address for a long time. What we ask from the government is to give us the title deeds to the houses we are in now so that we have some status and respect, said Shandani Fernando, a member of the Association of Homeless Families in Gampaha.

Unpleasant language

“When we fail to pay the rent by one day we hear so unpleasant language from the landlords and some of us have broken family relations due to misunderstanding while sharing the same house with the siblings, she said.

Rev.Sr Noel Christine Fernando, a prominent rights activist who leads the Sramabimani Kendraya (or Shramabimani Centre) in Seeduwa, a rights group focusing on worker solidarity, particularly within the free trade zones said the battle to secure the rights of workers will go on whichever government is in power.

“It was never a smooth sailing for the Sharmaabimani centre since its start in 1994. However, it waded through high tides, rough waters and stood through thick and thin to be what it is today branching out for every worker to take rest and shelter, Sister Fernando said.

She said it’s these worker’s toil and tears that bring the much needed foreign exchange to the country. We believe this government that came to power through the ballot of the landless people will heed their cry and provide them a permanent house.

Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, core founder and director of Shramaabimani Centre said under whatever condition ‘we musn’t forget the vision and the mission that we are called to ensure justice for the oppressed and the marginalized people’

He said the condition of the landless community in the Gampaha district and in the rest of the country is similar to the estate community who have been living for over 200 years without proper status which reveals the extent of social inequality and discrimination in a nation that is signatory to many UN conventions on right to life and decent living.

“A bottom-top discussion and collaboration with a people-friendly and people-centred administrative mechanism is critical to address the persisting issue of the ‘unknown poor’ in the country whose call for a permanent house has gone unheeded for many decades, he said.

According to the UN an increasing number of people are driven from their homes by crises such as conflict, political instability, climate change, and economic hardship. A record number of people are forcibly displaced and – in an increasingly urbanizing world – displacement is becoming an urban phenomenon.

Meanwhile poverty in Sri Lanka has been rising since the economic crisis in 2022 where many households in the ‘middle income’ bracket have been pushed down to the ‘poor’ segment.

According to the World Bank poverty continued to increase in 2021, and doubled between 2021 and 2022, from 13.1 to 25.0 percent ($3.65 per capita, 2017 PPP) adding 2.5 million people into poverty in 2022.

Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

By Lalin Fernandopulle

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Business

Low-floor buses launched to boost accessible public transport for differently-abled

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday (21) from the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC).

The service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women can board the bus with ease, the Transport Ministry said.

Each bus has 30 passenger seats and separate seating areas have been allocated for passengers using wheelchairs.

The pilot project operates on routes from Makumbura to Colombo Fort and from Makumbura to Kadawatha. These routes also cover major hospitals including the Colombo National Hospital and the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.

Speaking at the event, Subject Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that while these buses prioritize the differently-abled community, they will also provide a comfortable and reliable transport service for all passengers.

He also noted that 122 low-floor buses are planned to be introduced into service before the end of this year, and that in the future the service will be expanded to areas such as Kandy, Batticaloa, Matara and Jaffna.

Business

Nestlé Lanka Announces Change in Leadership

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Nestlé Lanka Limited has announced the appointment of Manav Sahni as its Chairman and Managing Director effective 01 May 2026. He will be succeeding Bernie Stefan, who will be transitioning to a new global role within the Nestlé Group. Bernie Stefan led Nestlé’s Sri Lankan operations through a particularly challenging time since 2023 – and has successfully guided the company through a strategic turnaround, positioning it on a axis for sustainable growth.

Speaking on his tenure at Nestlé Lanka, Bernie commented “Leading Nestlé Lanka has been a deeply meaningful chapter in my Nestlé journey. I am grateful to have worked alongside an amazing and resilient team that continues to make a difference for Sri Lankans across the country. On a personal note, it was an amazing opportunity to live on this beautiful island and experience firsthand the openness, warmth and kindness of its people, which has been the highlight of my Nestlé career to date. As Nestlé Lanka marks 120 years of enriching Sri Lankan lives, it is especially humbling to reflect on the role we have played in building on this legacy – positively touching individuals and families, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing our sustainability commitments. I am thankful to my colleagues, partners and stakeholders for their collaboration and trust, and to the wider business community, including through my role as a Board Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, for the opportunity to reinforce Nestlé’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. I leave very confident in the strength of the team and the journey that lies ahead.”

Manav Sahni brings with him over 18 years of experience in the FMCG & Telecom sector. Prior to taking on the role as Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, he has been heading Nestlé’s Dairy business for the South Asia Region, where he expertly managed a highly diverse portfolio, driving sustainable business transformation.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka at such a pivotal moment in its journey. Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan households for generations, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delighting consumers with tasty and nutritious products, while strengthening the positive impact we create through our brands and initiatives.”

Business

Majestic Cineplex Returns Bigger Better and More Immersive

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Ceylon Theatres will unveil the newly revamped Majestic Cineplex on the 29th of April 2026, beginning a new chapter for one of Sri Lanka’s best known cinema destinations. Located at Majestic City Colombo, Majestic Cineplex returns with major technology upgrades, enhanced comfort, and a range of premium viewing options, reinforcing Ceylon Theatres’ long standing reputation for raising the bar in cinema entertainment experiences in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the upgraded Cineplex will be completely open to the public from 29th April 2026 onwards.

For generations of moviegoers, Majestic Cineplex has been a landmark venue in Colombo, and its latest transformation brings together the nostalgia of a familiar name with the excitement of a modern cinema experience. Leading the new screen line up is Majestic Platinum, which introduces Sri Lanka’s first and only digital LED cinema screen. Designed to deliver sharper visuals, deeper contrast, richer colour, and outstanding clarity, the auditorium features a 3D 4K Tricorne LED Cinema Screen together with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Majestic Platinum offers 226 seats, including 18 VIP recliner seats for those chasing a premium cinema experience.

The cineplex also features three additional theatres, each designed to offer a high quality movie experience. Majestic Superior includes Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, and 7.1 surround sound, with seating for 150 patrons. Majestic Ultra features the same advanced projection and audio systems with 149 seats. Majestic Gold offers a more private luxury setting with Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, DTSX surround sound, and 30 leather recliner seats, ideal for those looking for the most premium and exclusive experience.

Patrons can also enjoy an upgraded café experience with freshly prepared and ready to eat food available for purchase at the counter, along with convenience of being served to your seat. The new café experience, together with the upgraded theatres make for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience for everyone.

Discussing the relaunch, Ganga Rathuvithana, General Manager Operations at Ceylon Theatres said, “Majestic Cineplex has always been a special part of Colombo’s cinema culture, and we are proud to welcome audiences back with an experience that reflects the future of movie entertainment. We have always believed in investing in the best available technology, from introducing Sri Lanka’s first 3D cinema to now launching the country’s first digital LED cinema screen. Our revamped Majestic Cineplex is designed to give movie lovers something truly special.”