News

GMOA calls off strike (Update)

Published

3 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

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)