Reduce the number of holidays: UNP

1 December 2010 10:00 am - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UNP today stressed the need to reduce the number of holidays for a year to attract foreign investments.

Making remarks during the Committee Stage of the Economic Development Ministry, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said that the number of working days in Sri Lanka is 277 whereas it is as high as 301 days in India.

“Investors think twice before deciding on investments in Sri Lanka. We have to correct such shortcomings in our system to lure more and more foreign investors,” he said.

“We have to increase our Export trades. High electricity and water prices will eventually lead to high production costs. Then, we cannot compete with other countries in the World Market,” he said.

Besides, he emphasized the need to grab investment opportunities in the ‘knowledge process outsourcing’ system for the generation of employment opportunities.

“In this regard, he said that Sri Lanka should turn to Europe.

“Sri Lanka should grab this opportunity available in Europe,” he said. (KB&YP)

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Comments - 39

Dhanushka Thursday, 02 December 2010 02:57 AM

That how UNP shows....Hope Srilankan Never ever give votes to UNP under this situation.
Ravi go home and sleep Well

micky Wednesday, 01 December 2010 03:46 PM

LOL.. u start working to this calender.

a voter Wednesday, 01 December 2010 03:56 PM

Good point. Why don't you sacrifice your personal day and go. Now it is made a holiday, no one works.

kudu Wednesday, 01 December 2010 07:34 PM

hey what happenned to the pre poya and poya holidays and what about a post poya holiday

Neville Thursday, 02 December 2010 01:08 AM

summer vaccation for one monh in other countries.

Thomas Thursday, 02 December 2010 01:47 AM

AGREE WITH COBRA

kakopappa Thursday, 02 December 2010 02:08 AM

i think all poya days should be moved to sundays.

R. Fernando Thursday, 02 December 2010 02:21 AM

Neville,

Dont we have Annual leave in Sri Lanka?When i was working there we had 21 days annual 7 days casual and 28 days of medical leave.

My suggession is Except wesak poya (1 day) and poson poya
other poya days should be scrapped.For christians 1 religious holiday (Christmas) Good friday unnesessary,if they want they can take from their leave. Same way for muslims 1 day (now they have 3 days)For hindus 1 day(now 2 days) National New year no need to change,and Bandaranayake day should be scrapped.

In this way we could reduce 15 days of leave..

Devaka Thursday, 02 December 2010 02:44 AM

Why don't you start with your party leader who goes on holiday everytime there is a crisis or an election?

kanthi Thursday, 02 December 2010 02:48 AM

Make the government sector holidays par with private sector which does not have so many holidays. Out of specified working days government/ public sector, wonder how many are REALLY working?

Karu Wednesday, 01 December 2010 03:27 PM

Well, it seems that the UNP itself is having a very long vacation and enjoying it too!

dd Thursday, 02 December 2010 03:07 AM

Not only that, our salaries should also be reducedso that more government investement can take place.

Nish Thursday, 02 December 2010 03:10 AM

UNP proposes these things so they have more reasons to take to the streets with protests. If implemented, they'll protest for the lack of holidays.

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 02 December 2010 03:31 AM

A very practical suggestion from Mr. R. Fernando which is worth implementing. Some people seem to be getting agitated whenever somebody brings up this subject, but if these people are so called real patriots, then they must think that the days of being "lotus eaters" must soon be forgotten if we are move forward as a nation. World's largest cabinet, and most number of holidays are not going to help anyone.

SriLankan Thursday, 02 December 2010 03:48 AM

The point on ME is Friday weekend holiday when others are at work. WE SL also had similar in 1966-1974 due to Pre poya &7 Poya weekend holiday. When it was changed to Sat/Sun Saturday 1/2 was was taken back with additional hours in other five days and Full moon poya was given.

Concerned Thursday, 02 December 2010 04:16 AM

UNP must first look into the possibility of attracting more members into the party before preaching how investors can be attracted to the country. Physician, heal thyself first!

snf4 Thursday, 02 December 2010 10:49 AM

Whenever they are in power no question about foreign investments.Most of them we have today were started after 1978.

gonecrazy Thursday, 02 December 2010 12:27 PM

Best Day to drink Dont spoil our fun

Nilantha Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:13 AM

Agreed,
finally he made a comment that can be acceptable...

local boy Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:17 AM

no kidding , this is damn correct

Casper Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:29 AM

Very true!
Specialy the GOV holidays. State sector ,does next to nothing work and enjoying a massive time off. Believe me, foriegners raise eyebrows when mention about number of holidays.

SriLankan Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:33 AM

Hello! compare international calendars, If we don't have Monthly Full Moon Poya Holiday we are par with any country. With over 75% Buddhists population no one can shout about that extra Holiday per month in SL. How you observe that day is up to the individuals.
No one will talk about Holiday/Work System in the ME where Islamic population is high.
The economist did a similar move about SL in 1994 , after few faxes from the writer they were too withdrawn.

AZ Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:42 AM

For this alone I will stop voting for UNP! We value the work-life balance :)

Matahari Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:51 AM

This is Sri Lanka, If you don't go to temple that's your problem, We need to observe sil on poya days as we have been doing for so long. (2000+yrs). Money is not everything for us. If foreigners wants’ to see how Poyaday looks; they are welcome to come and see. Now, people look for money over religion & culture.

katharina Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:55 AM

Well done karu , we agree with you. see all developed countries. they dont have maximum of 10 holidays a year.

12 Full moon poya holidays can be reduced to 11 except Wesak poya
All holidays for various birthdys can be removed
May 1st can be shifted to first Satady in May.
4th Feb. indipendence day is no more valied.
All stadays should be half days.

srinath.gunaratne Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:03 AM

Nice way to win the hearts and minds. What a party and what a leadership. Alway say and do the wrong thing at the right time.
Also good things for Sri lankans to look forward to. Why do I feel that known devil is better than unknown ..

gamini Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:05 AM

This is good suggestion and will reduce our cost of living. Other countries mostly they have 8 main holidays and even that the employers have the choice to grant them !!

Thilini Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:09 AM

This is correct atleast.....We have wayyyy toooo many holidays!

Kanthi Wednesday, 01 December 2010 10:14 AM

specially poya holiday, once a month going to temple and observing sill does not make a true buddhist

Rick Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:28 AM

Poya days...Excuse me?

Before the British, this countries were the Sinhala New Years, Wesak, Poya days and Karitka.

It should be these again but allow the other religions to have their special days but them alone and all else works e.g. Xmas only for the Christians etc etc

Nick Wednesday, 01 December 2010 11:31 AM

Good move!

MagodisThuma Wednesday, 01 December 2010 12:17 PM

Lord Buddha preached a philosopy & a way of living.
He didn't make a religion !

Pawlpakse Wednesday, 01 December 2010 12:25 PM

What? More holidays in the Middle East? Who told you that?

Pawlpakse Wednesday, 01 December 2010 12:26 PM

Religion does not say that it is a must to have a holiday on poya day.

Cobra Wednesday, 01 December 2010 12:27 PM

How come the UNP never thought about it when they were in power?

Namal Rajapakse Wednesday, 01 December 2010 01:04 PM

That is true. They are saying it as they have nothing else to say.

weerasuriya Wednesday, 01 December 2010 01:30 PM

This is true but they realize only they are not in power. This is the main problems our politicians experienced. The good things come out when they are not in power.

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Reduce the number of holidays: UNP

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