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MPs call for abolition of collective agreement

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Speaker Mahinda Yapa

Central Bank pay hike controversy:

By Saman Indrajith

The MPs who met a group of officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday found that the controversial salary increments of the CBSL workers had been based on a collective agreement. Some of the MPs argued that the collective agreement should be abolished.

The meeting with CBSL officials was attended by over 50 MPs of both the government and Opposition and commenced around 11.30 am at the Committee Room 2 and continued till 1.30 pm.

The CBSL officials made a presentation and the room was open for MPs to raise questions. They first met the party leaders and then the Committee of Public Finance members and MPs. The second meeting was also attended by officials of the Attorney General’s Department. The Speaker presided over the first meeting.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said. “I asked them to point out the legal provision for what they did and name a section or an Act of Parliament giving powers to them to decide their own salaries. They could not cite such provision,” Kiriella said.

The CBSL salary increments amount to around Rs 232 million a month. “I was the one who first raised this issue in the House. This morning, too, I demanded to know from the government what the standpoint of the Cabinet is because the summoning of CBSL officials to Parliament had been discussed at Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet ministers, too, have expressed their displeasure. At the meeting with CBSL officials, four government MPs spoke, and none of them approved of what the CBSL officials have done,” Kiriella said.

CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe stated that there were provisions in Sections 5, 8 and 23 of the CBSL Act for the slaries of the CBSL officials to be increased.

Kiriella pointed out those sections expressly made provisions for the expenses of the CBSL but not about salary increases. Section 23 stated about determining the amount of salaries provided that it is approved finally by Parliament.

SLPP dissident MP Gevindu Cumaratunga pointed out that the problem had been created by the government by passing a Bill to make the CBSL independent, but neither the Prime Minister, leader of the House, Chief Government Whip, nor the Finance Minister or State Finance ministers were present at this meeting. “We opposed this Bill and voted against this. Now those who created this mess are not present to question the CBSL officials,” Cumaratunga said.

Kiriella said that the government looked the other way when CBSL officials got their salaries increased. The government did not increase the salaries of professors, doctors, university teachers and other professionals, but kept silent when the CBSL officials got it done for themselves. The government must give answers. One of the CBSL secretaries told me that with the recent increment, she draws a monthly salary equal to ten times of the monthly salary of a ministry secretary. They collected money from tins and distributed it among themselves by barrels, he said.

Cumaratunga pointed out that the money handled by the CBSL officials were public funds therefore they are responsible to Parliament which has supremacy over the matters pertaining to the use of public funds.

TNA MP Sumanthiran, too, expressed the same view. He said that the CBSL did not earn money but uses the public money.

The CBSL officials responded that the salary increment was done as per the provisions of a collective agreement.

Gamapaha District MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna demanded to know from the CBSL officials whether that collective agreement was registered with the Labour Department.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said that a collective agreement to be valid should be registered with the Labour Department and became valid only after the Labour Commissioner gazettes it.

The collective agreement in question was neither registered nor gazetted, as such it is not a valid collective agreement, Jayasekera said.

As per Articles 148 and 149 (2) of the Constitution, Parliament had the powers over the use of public funds, he said, adding that the CBSL, too, was coming under that purview despite that there are wrong interpretations of the CBSL Act passed recently to give independence to the Central Bank. It is stated in that Act that money remaining in the Central Bank should be directed to the Consolidated Fund, and that meant the CBSL, too, come under the institutions responsible to Parliament.

Jayasekera said that the operations of collective agreements could be suspended. The operations of collective agreements in the CEB, CPC, and Harbour have been suspended.



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It is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength – President

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake in his Maha Shiva rathri message said that it is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength.

The full text of the message issued by the President’s media division:

Maha Shiva Rathri is a sacred and joyous occasion celebrated by Hindu devotees across the world in reverence of Lord Shiva. This divine night marks the celestial union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the powerful Tandava, Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction. It symbolises the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, dispelling the darkness of illusion and lighting the path to enlightenment.

On this auspicious night, Hindu devotees observe fasting and engage in spiritual practices, praying for the darkness of ignorance to be replaced by the radiance of wisdom. It is also a time to seek divine blessings for prosperity, peace and fulfilment in life.

The union of Shiva and Parvati is a profound representation of knowledge and power coming together. It reminds us that breaking free from the illusions of division allows us to embrace the truth with open eyes. Today, as we stand at the dawn of a new era, this message is more relevant than ever. Let us tear down the barriers that have kept us apart for generations and unite as one, casting aside discord and embracing togetherness. This is a moment to nurture interfaith harmony, celebrate our diversity and move forward with love and mutual respect, dedicating ourselves to the progress of our beloved motherland.

As we journey towards a brighter future, it is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength. We are stepping into a time of transformation, embracing political, economic and social renewal, shaping a future that holds promise and hope for all.

On this sacred night, as the glowing lamps of Maha Shiva Rathri illuminate our surroundings, let them also illuminate our hearts, guiding us with unwavering faith along the path we have chosen. Let us walk forward together, hand in hand, in the spirit of peace, unity and shared prosperity.

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USD 900,000 paid monthly for three unused SriLankan aircraft– Dy. Finance Minister

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Harshana

By Saman Indrajith

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday (25) that SriLankan Airlines was in debt due to political interference under previous governments.

Answering a question raised by Anuradhapura District SJB MP Rohana Bandara, Dr. Suriyapperuma said that such interference had resulted in an ongoing case in international courts.

Dr. Suriyapperuma stated that SriLankan Airlines had earned notoriety for corruption not only here but also abroad.

“Currently, there is an ongoing case in an international court over claims that commissions were sought in respect of the purchase of aircraft. Aircraft have been leased at exorbitant rates, far beyond prevailing market rates,” he said, adding that the actions and decisions of past regimes over the last few decades regarding SriLankan Airlines must be taken into account when examining its debt.

Outlining the measures taken by the government to tackle the staggering debt, the Deputy Minister of Finance said that a five-year programme would be implemented from 2025 to 2030.

Dr. Suriyapperuma explained that despite the allocation of Rs. 20 billion from the 2025 Budget for SriLankan Airlines, the funds would not be utilised for the airline’s operational expenses. Instead, the management had been tasked with transforming it into a self-sustaining entity. Discussions had already begun with relevant stakeholders to restructure the debt, which includes loans obtained in US dollars.

Dr. Suriyapperuma revealed that SriLankan Airlines had been paying USD 900,000 per month in installments for three aircraft that had remained unused for several years. He added that the national carrier currently owned a total of 22 aircraft and employed 3,194 staff members in its main airline operations, along with 2,862 employees in its strategic business units.

Dr. Suriyapperuma also highlighted that the Ministry was currently evaluating those plans, with the expectation of achieving operational profitability and securing government support within the five-year period.

Suriyapperuma assured that measures would be taken to address SriLankan Airlines’ debt without burdening the public.

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NPP govt. continues ban on Tamil organisations

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Thuyyakontha

… Easter Sunday carnage suspects among them

The government has issued a gazette extending the ban on several Tamil diaspora groups, alleging they supported “terrorism-related activities,” The Tamil Guardian has reported.

The gazette, signed by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyyakontha, declared that these organisations have “repeatedly provided financial support for terrorism.” As a result, their financial and economic assets remain frozen, and Sri Lankans are prohibited from having any contact with them. Those that do risk being arrested.

The list also reaffirms the ban on 222 individuals allegedly linked to terrorism.

The organisations blacklisted by the Sri Lankan government include:

*  Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

*  Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)

*  Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)

*  World Tamil Movement (WTM)

*  Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)

*  World Tamil Relief Fund (WTRF)

*  National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)

*  Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO)

Other organisations listed include several linked to Islamic groups, such as the National Towhead Jema’ah (NTJ) and the Sri Lanka Islamic Student Movement (SLISM).

The Tamil Guardian reported that successive Sri Lankan governments have used terrorism laws to ban Tamil organisations that continue to function openly and legally in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and throughout Europe. This ban, however, stifles links between these diaspora organisations and Tamils, making it a criminal offence for Sri Lankan citizens to maintain contact with them.

The reposition of the ban follows a pattern seen in previous years. In 2024, Sri Lanka renewed its prohibition of Tamil diaspora organisations, days after India extended its own ban on the LTTE. The move was widely condemned as politically motivated and an attempt to justify Sri Lanka’s military presence in the “Tamil homeland”.

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