Year: 2021

Basil’s Budget today (Daily FT) 2022 Budget presentation at 2 p.m. in Parliament Second Reading vote on 22 Nov., final vote on 10 Dec. Simultaneous interpretation in sign language for first time Public Gallery to remain closed; diplomats, select invitees to attend Attendees at FM’s post-Budget presentation tea party, too, restricted Amidst internal and external challenges the Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will present his maiden Budget to Parliament at 2 p.m. today. This will be the 76th budget of an independent Sri Lanka and the second budget of the Government…

Government agrees to teachers’ salary demand To pay salary hike in one go through Budget Stalin claims a drama played out at meeting Budget’s education allocation to exceed 6% for first time BY Buddhika Samaraweera(The Morning) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has agreed to grant the salary increase recommended by the Cabinet Sub-Committee (SC) appointed to look into the teacher-principal salary anomaly issue in one go, through the budget proposal for the financial year 2022, according to the Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance (TPTUA). Representatives of the TPTUA met Prime…

The World Science Day for Peace and Development – 10th November (The Morning 9th Nov) Sri Lanka is a country that has produced a number of scientists, engineers, inventors and mathematicians, and persons like Dr. Ray Wijewardene, Dr. Sarath Gunapala and Prof. Neelika Malavige, among a number of others, have brought fame to the country during the past few decades. They have proved that science and technology, if embraced correctly, can not only bring commercial and scientific success, but can also help the growth and survival of the human race. [/caption]…

Teachers, health workers in Sri Lanka promise TU action on Nov 9 over salary issues   (ECONOMYNEXT)  School teachers and health sector workers in Sri Lanka are to engage in trade union activity on Tuesday (09) over salary anomalies and other issues. Declaring a national day of protests, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) general secretary Joseph Stalin told reporters on Monday (08) that school teachers and principals affiliated with the union will hold protests outside all zonal education offices around the island. The union is demanding a speedy solution to a…

Fertiliser crisis: Government to meet Chinese diplomats Vessel carrying controversial Chinese organic fertiliser nears Colombo Authorities reject request for third test of organic fertiliser samples  Adequate nano fertiliser ordered for Maha season: Agriculture Minister By Asiri Fernando (The Sunday Morning) Chinese diplomats will meet officials of the Agriculture Ministry tomorrow (8) to discuss the rejection of a stock of Chinese organic fertiliser bound for Sri Lanka, The Sunday Morning learnt. Responding to a query, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he intends to explain to them why the consignment was rejected following…

Food industry fears looming crisis Food industry fears looming crisis amidst supply-demand imbalances (By Charumini de Silva Daily FT) Says curtailment of 25% of supplies will lead to economic crisis Companies forced to discontinue production lines, lay off employees, cut salaries and allowances Warns of closure of factories and businesses if no solution given Consumer purchasing power waning as staple food prices have soared; people now opting for cheaper alternatives  Disgruntled consumers allege Govt. protecting traders as majority of MPs are businessmen Asserts no hope from Budget 2022; fears extra…

Coconut products exporters to tap EU via plant fair in Germany The coconut products sector aims to explore prospects for exports to Europe via the International Plant Messe (IPM) Essen in Germany early next year. The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) will facilitate the participation of Sri Lanka’s coconut-based exporters or manufacturers at the popular trade fair, which will be held from 25-28 January. Following a one-year break from physical participation at trade fairs, the CDA has decided to take part in IPM Essen, one of the world’s leading horticultural trade…