News
Sajith condemns dry ration Mafia, demands Rs. 10,000 each be given to families affected by lockdowns
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asked the government in Parliament yesterday whether it had allowed those tasked with distributiong goods worth Rs. 10,000 among families in areas under lockdown to cheat the pandemic-hit people.
“The basket of goods is said to be worth Rs. 10,000, but its value is only about Rs. 7,000,” Opposition Leader Premadasa said.
“In addition people point out that chickpeas have weevils, dhal is past shelf life and potatoes are rotten. Although it is said that a bag contains five kilos of noodles it usually has only two kilos.
“It is claimed that each bag contains five packets of soya meat but there are only three packets.
“Why do you treat people like this?”
Premadasa calle those distributing goods a Mafia, operating with the blessings of the high-ups in the government.
“This matter has been raised At district development committee meetings but people’s grievances are far from redressed. I propose the government give Rs 10,000 in cash to these people instead of dry-rations. This way they could buy whatever they want. Instead of compelling them to eat food items not fit for human consumption.”
Latest News
Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
In keeping with the proposal by the President in his 2025 budget, for the provision of a package essential goods at a concessionary price during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival season, it has been planned to provide a food package containing essential food items valued at Rs. 5000/- for only Rs. 2,500/-.
It is expected to select appropriate beneficiaries from among the 812,753 candidates who have submitted new applications for Aswesuma benefits.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to take necessary steps to provide the food package to the beneficiaries through the Lanka Sathosa outlet network and COOPFED outlets from 01.04.2025 to 13.04.2025
The Cabinet of Ministers have decided as follows considering the resolutions submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development along with the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments on payment of salaries according to the revised salary scales with effect from 01.04.2025 based on the resolution furnished by the President for revising the salaries of government service by the budget 2025;
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments to issue circular instructions to the the secretaries of all the Ministries, Local Government Secretaries and Heads of Departments in regard to salary revisions of the government service.
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to issue circular instructions for state corporations, statutory boards and fully government owned companies and other institutions.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to amend the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 for remedying the shortcomings related to the transparency according to the international standards for prevention of money laundering, financing terrorism and other illegal activities.
Accordingly, the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has been revised as per instructions provided by the Attorney General subject to the special decision of the Supreme Court No. SC/SD/92/2024 and clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the final draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Safety and Cooperative Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
Salary revision of the Government Service – 2025
Amendment of the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 to be Gazetted
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