News
FM circular violated, Rs. 4 bn paid to CPC workers
NPP in bonus muddle:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SJB trade union wing spokesman Ananda Palitha yesterday (30) alleged that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had paid over Rs 4 bn as year-end bonus in contravention of a Finance Ministry circular dated 23 Dec., 2024.
Palitha said that though the Finance Secretary, Mahinda Siriwardena, had restricted the payment of bonuses to two categories of public sector workers to Rs. 25,000 and Rs 20,000, the CPC had paid well over the stipulated amount.
Responding to The Island queries, Palitha said CPC Chairman D J A S De S Rajakaruna, who is also the head of Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, had been given a free hand in deciding bonus payment, although the government had not reduced the price of regular petrol significantly. Since the change of government in Sept. 2024, the price of litre of Octane 92 had been reduced by just Rs. 2, Palitha said.
Asked whether the SJB opposed bonuses to state sector workers, Palitha said, “We are not opposed to bonuses to state sector workers. But the issue here is the payment of bonuses against the backdrop of both fuel and electricity consumers deprived of relief. The NPP owes the public an explanation.”
The Finance Ministry has issued the relevant circular on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance. In terms of the circular, state enterprises that have not earned profits in 2023 and those that have not paid at least 30 % of profits as taxes to the Consolidated Fund are not eligible for bonus.
Palitha claimed that nearly 4,200 CPC workers had been paid an additional one month’s salary, plus Rs 5,200 cost of living allowance as their year-end bonus. The lowest category of workers received an all-inclusive monthly take home pay of approximately Rs 120,000 whereas top management personnel were paid as much as Rs 800,000.
Palitha pointed out that in the absence of a collective agreement pertaining to the CPC, that enterprise should have obtained Cabinet approval for bonus payment. Instead, the CPC had ignored the Finance Ministry circular in question, as well as the requirement for Cabinet approval, he said, adding that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) unions were upset over preferential treatment given to their CPC counterparts. Palitha said that he stood by recent declaration that CPC Chairman Rajakaruna increased his salary and allowances by double the amount he is entitled to.
Palitha reiterated his previous claims against the CPC Chairman. The Island contacted Energy Minister Dr. Kumara Jayakody for comment, but he asked us to get in touch with CPC Chairman Rajakaruna who didn’t answer his mobile phone.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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