News

GMOA calls off strike (Update)

Published

4 months ago

January 23, 2024

editor

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to call off the planned indefinite strike action which was slated to commence from tomorrow (Jan. 24).

This decision has been reached after the Director General of Health Services, issuing a written notification to the Directors and Heads of all Health Institutions had canceling with immediate effect the previous letter announcing the suspension of the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance of doctors for the month of January.

(Previous News on 23^rd January, 2023 at 4:05pm)

Doctors & Dentists to strike over DAT suspension

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) have announced their decision to launch a strike starting from tomorrow (Jan. 24) over the government’s decision to suspended the recently announced Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors over insufficient funds.

In a letter to all directors of government hospitals and heads of institutions, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena has stated that although the necessary arrangements have been made for the payment of the said allowance, the Treasury has not provided funds within the approved allocation limit.

He further mentioned that the Secretary of the Ministry of Health has informed him to temporarily suspend the payment of the DAT allowance which was decided to be increased by Rs. 35,000 to Rs, 70,000, until the issue is resolved by the Treasury.

In this backdrop, the GMOA has announced that they will go on strike indefinitely, starting from 08.00 a.m. tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the GDSA states that the duration and specifics of the strike will be decided at an emergency executive committee meeting of the GDSA scheduled for tomorrow.

Noting that they regret the inconvenience this action may cause to the public, the GDSA emphasizes that the responsibility for any service breakdown and resultant public inconvenience lies squarely with the officials of the Finance Ministry.

News

Colombo air show and CADE 2024 exhibition postponed to next year

Published

5 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024), initially set to take place from May 29 to June 2 at Galle Face and Colombo Port City, has been postponed to next year, according to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The SLAF stated that the decision to reschedule the event was made in response to multiple requests from international partners, defence industry stakeholders, and foreign Air Forces. This postponement aims to enhance participation and provide a more diverse experience for spectators.

The rescheduled event will now be held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, coinciding with the 74th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

News

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrives in Sri Lanka

Published

5 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (18) for a three-day visit. He was welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman.

During his stay from May 18 to 20, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will participate in an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom,’ which will be held at Taj Samudra on May 19. Renowned for his global humanitarian efforts and as a peace envoy, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also an Indian yoga guru and the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.

News

President leaves for Indonesia

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left for Indonesia this morning (18) to attend the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Bali, at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The 10th World Water Forum is being held from May 18th to 20th in Bali, Indonesia.

This significant gathering, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” will convene global leaders to address pressing issues related to water management and sustainability.

President Wickremesinghe left for Indonesia on Saturday, following an invitation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to international cooperation on water-related challenges.

Scheduled to deliver a keynote address on May 20th, President Wickremesinghe will articulate Sri Lanka’s perspective on achieving equitable access to water resources for all, the President’s Media Division said.

During the forum, President Wickremesinghe is expected to engage in bilateral discussions, including a meeting with President Widodo, to explore avenues for collaborative action in water resource management.

His delegation, comprising senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflects Sri Lanka’s comprehensive approach to addressing global water issues.

President Wickremesinghe’s participation underscores Sri Lanka’s proactive role in advancing sustainable solutions to ensure water security, not only domestically but also on the global stage, the PMD said.