News

UNP claims it improved teachers’ lot under yahapalana govt.

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/27

By Piyasena Dissanayake

UNP Chairman and former minister Wajira Abeywardena says the plight of teachers and principals would have been unfathomable today if not for the salary increments given the Yahapalana government.

“Those who blame us for many things have to admit that the situation of teachers and principals would have been much more miserable if not for the salary increments given to them by that government,” the UNP chairman said, speaking at a meeting of UNP activists in the Karandeniya electorate.

“Within 48 hours of assuming duties as the prime minister’s office on 08 Jan., 2015, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reduced the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, essential food commodities and increased salaries of public servants. Basic salary of a teacher in Grade 3-II was increased from Rs 13,410 to Rs 27,740. The basic salary of a teacher of Grades 3-IC, 3-IB, 3-1A was at Rs 14,800. It was increased to Rs 29,540. Basic salary of a teacher of Grade 2-II was increased from Rs 18,950 to Rs 35,130 while the basic salary of a Grade 1-I was increased from Rs 21,750 to Rs 44,550.

“The basic salary of a Grade III principal was at Rs 17,060 and it was increased to Rs 35,280. A Grade II Principal drew Rs 19,370 basic salary then and it was increased to Rs 40,040. The basis salary of a Grade I principal was increased to Rs 46,325 from Rs 22,415.

“The basic salary of Grade I of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service official was increased from Rs 36,755 to Rs 76,175. A Grade III official of SLEAS received only a basic salary of Rs 22,935 a month and it was increased to Rs 47,615. A Grade II official drew a basic salary of Rs 30,175 and it was increased to Rs 62,595.

“Those increments were given at a time when the world economy was in recession. On average we increased the salaries of teachers and principals by 107 percent. There are many who blame the former government for various ills in society today, but the truth is that it was that government which really gave something to people. If not for what that government had given, the situation of teachers and principals today under this government would have been so miserable,” the former minister said.

Associated with the UNP Chairman was Karandeniya UNP organiser Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Somiratne.

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SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

14 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.