News
Sajith slams Stalin’s arrest
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, after visiting trade union activist Joseph Stalin who is detained by the Police, has urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to end the harassment of opposition political activists, human rights defenders, and trade unionists,
“We need to stop violence. People have the freedom to protest. No one has the right to engage in violence, but Stalin was not involved in any violence. There is no evidence for that. Stalin has been arrested for exercising his constitutional rights. Stalin was arrested for holding a demonstration in May in violation of a court order. These arbitrary arrests are a disgrace,” he said.
Premadasa said that the country is facing hitherto unknown economic and political strife. This should be a time when the President and the leaders of the government reaches out to everyone, he said.
“I urge the government to get everyone united to rebuild the country. Don’t play political games because the people are tired. Don’t be lulled into complacency because the protests have lost some momentum. We need the government to stop this witch hunt, this state terrorism. Unleashing suppression is not how you gain legitimacy,” he said.
Premadasa said that when Ranil Wickremesinghe was an opposition MP, he had condemned the arrest of Stalin. At that time, Wickremesinghe said that Stalin was an internationally known trade unionist and that his arrest would have devastating international implications.
“Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka might lose the GSP+ concession because Stalin was arrested. What has changed now? The government can’t solve this through violence, this can only be done through by discussion,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said that Sri Lanka was stuck in a spiral of violence and that it was former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who started it by attacking peaceful protestors on May 9 on Galle Face. Since then, there have been cycles of violence and counter violence and now everyone lives in fear, he said.
“Mahinda started it. What has happened to him? Has he been arrested? No, he is fine. He is enjoying himself at home. But Stalin is in jail for protesting. The law is being applied differently and it is too visible. These arrests are not a show of strength. People are just getting angry. We are all just marching blindly towards another cycle of violence,” he said.Stalin is the most senior activist to be arrested in a crackdown against protesters who forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee last month.
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.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
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
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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