News
ACJU echoes Aragalaya demands
By Ifham Nizam
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the Islamic clergy body of scholars, yesterday stressed that the Government should fulfill the demands of the people while urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe to step down immediately.
ACJU President Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe and ACJU General Secretary Ash Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramit yesterday said that unfortunately, the people have lost faith in the Government as its proposed solutions, to resolve this crisis situation, has not been able to meet the needs and demands of the people.
“As the Government, including the President and Prime Minister are unable to provide sustainable solutions for the current crisis situation, we request the Government including the President and Prime Minister to step down, so that an interim Government could be formed, which includes competent, qualified persons in order to lead the country towards the path of prosperity,” added Nooramit.
They said that due to the current political and economic crisis in the country, people are suffering as they are unable to fulfill even their basic necessities. As a result, the public have resorted to protests and demonstrations, demanding the Government to fulfill their needs.
They also pointed out that furthermore, the proposals submitted by various people such as religious leaders, professionals, civil organizations to resolve this crisis, have not been implemented nor considered by the Government, which has greatly dismayed the people.
Nooramit added that every citizen, especially every politician, should put aside their differences and make all possible efforts to urgently resolve this critical situation and lead our motherland towards prosperity and development.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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