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SJB MP Pathirana suggests jacking up price of fags by Rs. 20 to resolve teachers’ salary demand

The SJB yesterday asked the government to increase the price of a cigarette by Rs. 20 and utilize the proceeds to rectify teachers’ salary anomalies.
SJB Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana said that the prices of cigarettes had not been increased since 2019 and if the prices of cigarettes were increased by Rs. 20 per stick, the Treasury would be able to collect an extra Rs. 50 billion annually.
If the relevant measure was introduced, a total of Rs. 100 billion can be collected between 2021 and 2022.
MP Pathirana said that only Rs. 55 billion was required to solve the teacher’s salary anomaly.
The MP said that over 50 people died daily due to tobacco while 22,000 people died annually.
State Minister Susil Premjayantha said that the issue could not be solved as quickly due to the need to ensure that other sectors were not harmed by taking that decision.
The Minister said that the Ministry had informed the teacher’s unions that the matter would be addressed in the upcoming budget and commended the suggestion to increase the price of cigarettes.
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Majority of the population lacks trust in elections and the political system – President

During his address at the ‘2023/2024 National Law Conference’ held at the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the majority of the population, including the youth lacked trust in elections and politics .
The President further emphasized that while the re-establishment of law and order, as well as political and economic stability, is crucial, it does not imply that Sri Lanka has completely overcome the crisis. He emphasized the necessity of making significant commitments in the future to ensure the success of the entire process.
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Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has audience with King and Queen consort of Thailand

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called on King Majabijayalgkon and the Queen Consort at the Royal Palace in Bangkok on Friday (02).
The King referred to the long-standing Buddhist ties between the two countries and said that fond memories of his visit to Dalada Maligawa in Kandy 30 years ago when he was the Crown Prince is still in his heart.
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Commit to safeguard Buddhism and preserve the invaluable Buddhist heritage – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Poson message urged everyone to commit to safeguard Buddhism and preserve the invaluable Buddhist heritage gifted to us by the arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera in our land.
He said that Poson Poya Day is of the highest significance to Sri Lankan Buddhists as it marks the historic arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera to our Motherland with the message of the Buddha, paving the way to create a new meaningful identity as well as a cultural renaissance.
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