News
Sabry to consult Prez over House resolution against Canadian genocide charge
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Foreign Ministry is planning to move a resolution in Parliament against Canada’s claim of genocide here.A senior FM spokesperson said that the modality of a resolution would be considered, in consultation with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Cabinet of Ministers.
The official said so in response to The Island query whether Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, would take appropriate measures to move a resolution as suggested by the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Security during a recent session in Parliament.
SOC Chairman Sarath Weerasekera informed Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardena, Defence Secretary retired General Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, three service commanders and heads of State Intelligence Service (SIS) and Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) of the need to counter the Canada’s allegations.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by the former Deputy Navy Chief of Staff in his capacity as the SOC Chairman, the FM spokesperson said that the ministry categorically rejected what she called outrageous allegation of genocide having taken place in Sri Lanka.
Colombo District MP Weerasekera told The Island that Sri Lanka should base its resolution on the disclosure made by Lord Naseby in the House of Lords in Oct 2017 and former US Defence Advisor Lt. Col. Lawrence Smith declaration made at the first Colombo Defence Seminar in June 2011.
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.
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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
News
Draft bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals – Sri Lanka to be completed
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to grant policy approval of the current Cabinet of Ministers for completion of formulating the draft bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals – Sri Lanka
Establishment of the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka has been recognized in order to accomplish the requirement of a training institute for carrying out relevant studies with the objective of presenting media intellects fortified with skills for the uplifting quality and standards of media society of this country while creating chartered professional journalists.
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/-
Draft bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals – Sri Lanka to be completed
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