News
Political crisis: SLAAS calls for calm and tolerance
By Ifham Nizam
The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), which comprises more than 6,000 active members, and is the apex learned society of the scientific community, have observed with dismay the dire economic situation in the country, which has steadily worsened over the last several months, and is deeply concerned about the accompanying social unrest and political instability.
The SLAAS, representing the scientific community and an important part of the network of scientists in the country, says it stands ready to advise and assist President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government in any way necessary to achieve this transition, and as scientists and researchers, to do what is necessary to make that transition a success.
Prof. Manuj C. Weerasinghe, General President of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, urged all sides to act with calm and mutual tolerance, without confrontation.
“With all due respect, we especially urge Your Excellency’s government and its agents to respect the rights of protesters and demonstrators to express their views in a non- violent manner. At the same time, we urge the demonstrators to act with patience, responsibility, and restraint in this volatile situation,” he said in a statement.
He said that they believed that if solutions, whether immediate or long term, were to be found for the grave crisis and wanted inputs from the best brains in the country.
“We respectfully urge that such professionals be swiftly identified, perhaps with the help of their respective professional institutions, and appointed to key positions, as well as boards and panels which will be entrusted with the responsibility of making well-reasoned and transparent recommendations regarding the courses of action to be followed. We further urge that those recommendations then be followed, unless valid reasons can be given for not doing so.”
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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