News
JVP demands President’s resignation
By Saman Indrajith
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as no political solution could be found for the present crisis, as long as the incumbent remained in power.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters, in Pelawatte, Dissanayake said that various political parties, civil and religious organisations and professional bodies had suggested solutions. “It is the President who has powers to dissolve Parliament. Even if we pass a motion, in Parliament, and refer it to the President, it is he who has those powers. Any form of administration, suggested as a solution, including the all-party governments, interim governments, or caretaker governments, would have to depend on the executive presidency. How could the President be trusted? For example, a group of MPs met him, and the following day he engineered the crossover of an SLFP MP.
Dissanayake said that the President Rajapaksa should understand that the country could not be run by what he called a bunker administration. Today, he is hiding in the President’s House bunker. No democratic nation should allow it to be run by a ruler hiding in a bunker. “We have information that army units have been brought from Moneragala and Dambulla to Colombo to guard this bunker which is already fortified with armored cars and tanks.
“If the President does not step down we must take to the streets and agitate till he is forced to do so. Our trade unions are ready for a general strike on Thursday. In parallel to that there would be demonstrations and rallies in all main cities. We call on people to join them and raise their voice against this administration. We must send this government and the president home. It is only thereafter we can discuss the mode of an interim administration which suits this country to find solutions for the present crisis. No solution is a solution until this very same administration is in power. All other talks are only tactics to buy time. We will not fall for such tricks.”
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the following notification / order / rule published in the government gazette notification to the Parliament for its concurrence:
• Notification on the revision of tax limit of luxury on motor vehicles under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 41 dated 31.01.2025.
• Rule issued under the Production Levy (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989 on revision of production levy rate for vehicles operated with electricity published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 42 dated 31.01.2025
• Order issued under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 on extension of the period on which the 50% relief is active which is given to the deviation levy published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 30 dated 31.01.2025
Although there are legal provisions for the right to publish, technical planning, right of patent, trademarks and enterprises etc, in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, there are no provisions for securing the rights of plant species (relevant to breeders, researchers and farmers).
In addition, no patents can be issued for flora and fauna according to the provisions of the intellectual rights act. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 22.05.2024 to introduce a new act for securing the rights of plant species.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has pointed out that policy approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers should be taken to complete the drafting of the new flora species rights securing act.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposals submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for the preparation of the said draft bill.
Latest News
National minimum monthly salary for private sector employees raised to Rs. 27,000/-, minimum daily wage to Rs. 1080/-
Parallel to salary hike of public sector officers by the budget proposals 2025, it has been proposed to increase the salaries of private sector employees as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Labour to revise the national minimum monthly salary and national minimum daily wage and follow other legal actions as follows:
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 9,500/- from rupees 17,500/- to rupees 27,000/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 380/- from rupees 700/- to rupees 1,080/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 3,000/- from rupees 27,000/- to rupees 30,000/- with effect from 01.01.2026
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 120/- from rupees 1,080 /- to rupees 1,200/- with effect from 01.01.2026
Submission of gazette notifications for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Cabinet approval to prepare new Act for securing the rights of plant species
National minimum monthly salary for private sector employees raised to Rs. 27,000/-, minimum daily wage to Rs. 1080/-
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