News

GMOA calls off strike (Update)

Published

12 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

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

10 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)