News

Lunch hour protests demanding higher salary increase

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2023

editor

State and Local government employees have planned to stage protests outside their offices demanding a higher salary increase claiming that the Rs 10,000 offered from the budget was not sufficient.

The main protest is due to take place outside the Sethsiripaya complex where several government offices are located.

A spokesman for the organisers said that they hope to have the protest during the lunch hour today across the country.

He said they would insist that the government grants a salary increase of Rs 20,000.

He said another demand would be to provide the increase from January itself, instead of making the payments later in the year with arrears.

However, Saman Ratnapriya, Director General of Trade Unions relations of the President, said that those protesting should realise that the Rs 10,000 increase is being provided despite financial difficulties. “The unions should re-think about the situation as at last year when the country was in an economic crisis”, he added.

He said it was few unions backed by the JVP and the Peratugami were involved in the protests and did not have the backing of the majority of the public sector employees.

(sundaytimes.lk)

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

7 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

9 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

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