News

State sector to get pay hike in NPP’s maiden budget – President

Published

7 months ago

November 4, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government will increase the salaries of state employees in the first budget presented by the National People’s Power.

Speaking at an election rally, he said, “Government employees are not paid enough. In the first budget presented by the National People’s Power, the salaries of government employees will be increased. A certain individual says he was planning to raise the wages of government employees and a Cabinet paper was submitted and the money was allocated. Then it should have been given at that time. Why didn’t he give it?”

“When public servants went on a number of strikes demanding a salary increase, those who said they had no money are now asking us to give them a salary increase. Irrespective of their papers or the so-called allocating money, the National People’s Power government will definitely increase the salary of state sector workers in the next budget” he added.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

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The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.