News

Duty-free allowances for migrant workers increased from May 1 – Manusha

Published

2 months ago

April 3, 2023

editor

The Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry announced today that the ministry had decided to increase the duty-free allowances for goods purchased at the airport duty-free complex by migrant workers depending on the amount of money they had remitted, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

While addressing the media at the Ministry, he said the program will come to force from May 01.

The concessions will be implemented in five categories, he said.

“The migrant workers who have remitted between US$ 2,400 and US$ 4,799 can get an additional duty-free allowance of US$ 600. Workers who have remitted between US$ 4,800 and 7,199 will be entitled to additional duty relief of US$ 960. Workers who remit between US$ 7,200 and US$ 11,999 will receive an additional duty-free allowance of US$ 1,440. Migrant workers who have remitted between US$ 12,000 and US$ 23,999 are eligible for an additional US$ 2,400 duty-free allowance, and workers who have remitted US$ 24,000 or above are eligible for an additional US$ 4,800 duty-free allowance when purchasing goods at the airport,” the minister said.

He further mentioned that any migrant worker who has sent the above-mentioned amount of money through legitimate channels to the country within a period of one year is eligible for this allowances from May 1.

We started working as a government to encourage expatriate workers to send money to the country legally through the banking system.

“We prepared a program to give due respect and proper treatment to the expatriate workers and were hoping to open a dedicated entrance for them called ‘The Hope Gate’ at the airport.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

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Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)