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SLPP rebels issue warning over labour reforms, question motives of Prez

Published

3 years ago

2023/08/1

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. G.L.

‘Who takes responsibility for denying two million persons welfare assistance in July?’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The rebel SLPP group yesterday (31) issued a dire warning over government plans to repeal or significantly amend 12 Acts which dealt with both public and private sector workers.

Addressing the media at the Freedom People’s Congress office at Nawala, SLPP National List MP Prof. G. L. Peiris explained how new labour laws could throw both public and private sectors into a turmoil. The former External Affairs Minister said that repealing or making significant amendments to what he called crucial protective legislation -Termination of Employees Act and Shop and Office Employees Act – could be quite devastating.

Prof. Peiris alleged that the proposed labour laws would cause uncertainty among the workers at a time of growing concerns among the vast majority of people over the direction the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was taking the country.

Prof. Peiris said a primary objective of the labour law reforms was to facilitate the termination of workers.

Alleging the government was doing its best to appease employers at the expense of workers at all levels, the former Minister discussed how the developing crisis in the health sector, disruptions to the provision of Samurdhi benefits caused by the unplanned introduction of Aswesuma social welfare scheme, utterly unfair implementation of domestic debt-restructuring process and new far reaching labour laws affected the entire population.

The former Cabinet colleague of Wickremesinghe accused him of pursuing a heartless strategy regardless of the consequences as he went out of his way to address the concerns of the investors. Referring to a recent declaration by UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, MP, that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should receive 12 more years in the same capacity in appreciation of the miracle he performed, Prof. Peiris claimed that the economy was in a pathetic state. The much-touted Wickremesinghe’s miracle was nothing but a myth, the lawmaker said that the ruination of the health sector was quite sufficient to send the UNP leader home.

The ex-Minister referred to a spate of unfortunate cases reported from government hospitals over the past several months to underscore the failure on the part of the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration to sustain public sector health services. In spite of the deterioration of health services at an alarming rate, the public and private sector corruption seemed to be continuing unabated. Commenting on the Auditor General initiating investigations into procurement, Prof. Peiris mentioned several high profile corruption cases to highlight brazen acts of misappropriation of public funds.

Prod Peiris asked whether the government expected to suppress the health sector imbroglio by directing the Health Secretary, Director General of Health Services and selected medical administrators to issue statements. The government owed an explanation how it intended to procure life-saving drugs required at government hospitals. The ex-Minister alleged that those at the helm of the health sector resorted to emergency purchases to take advantage at the expense of the government and the people.

Those responsible for the disastrous bid to replace Samurdhi with Aswasuma should resign forthwith, Prof. Peiris said, demanding an explanation regarding two million people being deprived of welfare funds in July. Who would accept responsibility for this crime? the SLPP rebel heavyweight asked. Contrary to various declarations of President Wickremesinghe’s prowess in managing the economy under extremely difficult situations, the country was in a dire situation.

Referring to the recently concluded All-Party Conference (APC), chaired by President Wickremesinghe, close on the heels of his return from New Delhi, Prof. Peiris questioned the rationale in the offer to discuss devolution of power against the backdrop of the UNP leader’s refusal to conduct both Provincial Councils and Local Government polls. Such deliberations were irrelevant in a country where the President interfered with the election calendar.

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Electricity tariffs to be increased from 1st April

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/30

Priyan

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs with effect from 1st April .

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) requested a 13.56% electricity tariff revision for the second quarter of this year.

The revision announced by the PUCSL for domestic consumers:

0–30 units category, electricity tariffs will rise by 4.3%,

31–60 units category, tariffs will rise by 6.9%,

61–90 units category, tariffs will rise by 6.9%,

91–120 units category, tariffs will rise by 7.2%,

Above 180 units, electricity tariffs will rise by 25.3%

The PUCSL has decided not to increase electricity tariffs for religious and charitable institutions that consume below 180 units monthly and a 9.6% increase for institutions that consume above 180 units.

Ectricity tariffs for the general and household consumer categories has been increased by 8%, while the electricity tariff increase for the industrial sector is 8.7%, the increase in tariff for government institutions is 14.4%.

News

A QR code system to be introduced for agricultural lands and other sectors requiring fuel

Published

16 hours ago

2026/03/30

Priyan

It was decided at the committee appointed to oversee the distribution of essential goods to appoint five officials from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to cover all ministries in order to examine fuel-related issues and undertake the necessary interventions.

It was further discussed that the responsibility of these officials would be to examine fuel-related issues arising in institutions under each ministry and to intervene in providing solutions by maintaining coordination with the Corporation.

These matters were discussed at a meeting of the committee appointed to oversee the distribution of essential goods, chaired by Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake held on Friday (27) at the Presidential Secretariat.

It was also noted, with particular attention, that requests have been made by industrialists indicating that the current fuel quota allocated to vehicles for the distribution of their products across the country is insufficient. It was further discussed that, if these concerns are not addressed, there is a likelihood of an increase in the prices of goods, which could in turn cause significant hardship to the public during the festive season.

The committee also discussed the issuance of fuel for the distribution of essential food items by state and private institutions, including supermarkets such as Sathosa, wholesale importers, tourism-related service providers, hotels and other service-providing organisations.

Accordingly, it was discussed that requests for fuel quotas submitted by these institutions should be carefully considered and prompt action taken as necessary and that such requests should be forwarded to the Ministry of Energy through the relevant ministries.

Attention was also drawn to the need for the swift implementation of a QR code system for the issuance of fuel to other sectors, including agriculture and the fisheries industry, based on letters issued on the recommendations of the relevant government officials, including agricultural research officers, instead of the previous method of direct fuel allocation.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake emphasised the need to ensure a continuous and properly managed fuel supply, with particular focus on providing goods to the public without shortages and preventing excessive price increases during the forthcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year season.

The discussion was attended by a group of government officials, including Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Power Arkam Ilyas, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara and Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, D. J. Rajakaruna.

News

Inquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored

Published

20 hours ago

2026/03/30

Thilina Walpola

Speaker Wickramaratne receiving the report from retired HC Judge Alahapperuma. Secretary General of Parliament Rohanadeera stands next to the Speaker (file photo)

Parliament:

… sexual harassment claims dismissed

Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said.

The retired HC Judge handed over the report to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 24 November, 2025. Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on that occasion.

The retired judge has recommended that administrative decisions be taken expeditiously to grant her salary increments due for 2024 and 2025, reevaluation of all employees attached to the Department of Information Systems and Management and keep them under close scrutiny and strengthening of the ‘Helpdesk’ to meet the requirements.

Sources said that none of the recommendations have been implemented and the concerned employee in spite of still being the Senior Helpdesk coordinator remained attached to the Supplies and Services Office. She had been ordered to report to the Supplies and Services Office in January 2025 following a continuing dispute with the top management of the Department of Information Systems and Management.

Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee on 25.07.2025 decided to conduct an external investigation into the issue after the employee refused to accept the outcome of the internal inquiry conducted in the wake of SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raising the issue in Parliament.

The retired judge has emphasised the urgent need to take tangible measures to address administrative issues with a view to enhance discipline and human resources management among other issues.

However, the retired judge has declared that the complainant or any other female employee attached to the of Department of Information Systems and Management hadn’t been subjected to any form of sexual harassment as alleged.

The retired judge further asserted that the complainant had been prejudicially treated by two interview boards when she appeared before them seeking posts of Database Administrator and Parliament Officer.

The retired judge has also asserted that the Supplies and Services Office where the complaint continued to serve even now was not suitable and not in line with her qualifications. Some of those who had appeared before the retired judge during the inquiry claimed that was a temporary transfer. However, the report dismissed that claim declaring that transfer appeared to have been done outside acceptable procedure and her increments stopped without giving any justifiable reason.

The retired judge has stated that for want of proper procedures and systems, the administration seems to be in turmoil.

By Shamindra Ferdinando