News
Lumala employees seek Govt intervention to save Lanka’s cycle manufacturing industry
Employees of Lumala City Cycle Industries Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, one of South Asia’s leading bicycle manufacturers, are urgently calling for government intervention to prevent the company’s collapse, said a release.It said: Located in Panadura, Lumala has been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s industrial sector for over 50 years. However, rising costs and unfair market practices now threaten its survival.
The company has already begun a phased shutdown, closing its steel rim department and one of the country’s few chromium plating plants. Further closures, including fork and mudguard production, alloy rim manufacturing, and the paint department, are imminent unless immediate action is taken. Ranjith Siriwardana, Lumala’s factory general manager, expressed concerns over the livelihoods of employees, many of whom have dedicated over two decades to the company.
Employees cite several challenges, including the influx of cheap imported bicycles and electric bicycles that bypass regulatory checks. Some trading companies are allegedly exploiting tax loopholes by misdeclaring imported parts as raw materials, evading customs duties and VAT, and selling substandard products at low prices. Additionally, heavy taxes on raw materials for local production have increased manufacturing costs, making domestic businesses less competitive.
The potential shutdown of Lumala would have far-reaching consequences, affecting hundreds of employees, local suppliers, and related industries such as motorcycles and motor vehicles. Despite achieving 50% to 70% local value addition, as verified by the Ministry of Industries, Lumala’s concerns remain unaddressed.
Employees are urging the government to implement fair tax policies, prevent unethical market practices, and conduct a comprehensive investigation involving the Ministry of Industries, Industrial Development Board, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Inland Revenue Department. They emphasize the need for a level playing field, not special privileges, to ensure the survival of ethical manufacturers like Lumala.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation to provide the required provisions to purchase the green gram harvest in a competitive manner with the private sector by expanding the program initiated by the National Food Promotion Board, on the advice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation,
Green gram has been cultivated in an area of about 16,500 hectares in the 2025 Yala Season and intermediate season and a harvest of about 14,600 metric tons of green gram is expected. Currently, green gram harvesting has started in the Hambantota district, and it has been reported that middlemen are buying the harvest for a low price of Rs. 450/- per kilogram.
Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 08-02-2021 to award 326 bridge construction contracts to the State Development and Construction Corporation for the construction of bridges across the island under the Rural Bridges Program.
The construction of a further 23 bridges has been assigned to the Road Development Authority.
It had been decided in the year 2022, to stop the construction of 184 bridges, where construction had not been initiated. The construction of 45 bridges from the 142 remaining bridges have already been completed.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban
Development to recommence the construction of the remaining 74 bridges by the State Development and Construction Corporation and to complete the construction expeditiously.
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.06.2025 to repeal the Parliamentary Pension Act No. 1 of 1971 of the State Council.
In keeping with the promise given to all Sri Lankans who supported the vision of ‘A wealthy country – A beautiful life’ which appeared in the policy declaration of the Government, a draft bill has been prepared by the Legal Draftsmen for
repealing the Parliamentary Pension Act with the objective of cancelling pensions rights given to elected members of the Parliament and their spouses.
As the Attorney General has given clearance to the draft bill, the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justic and National Integration to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently to be presented to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added to Sri Lanka squad for tri-series
Purchasing of 2025 green gram harvest
Cabinet approves the completion 74 bridges under the Rural Bridge Program
‘Heartbroken’ Alcaraz pulls out of Davis Cup Finals
Parliamentary Pension Act No. 1 of 1971 to be repelled
Cabinet nod to appoint Dr. (Eng.) K. Waligepolage as Director General of Irrigation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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