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No pension paid for group of retired Samurdhi officers!

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The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) drew attention to the non-payment of pensions on behalf of a group of retired officers of the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority.

This was discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts Chaired by State Minister Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna met in Parliament recently (09) to discuss the current status of the directives issued by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, and the Department of Samurdhi Development on 26.05.2023. 

When the COPA met on 26.05.2023, there was a long discussion regarding the non-payment of pension for a group of officers entitled to pension from the date of appointment of the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and the recommendation given on the said date was examined. However, the Members of Parliament who were present pointed out that it is observed that there has not been enough resolution regarding those recommendations. The Members of Parliament also pointed out that the administrative issues of the Department of Samurdhi Development are being observed.

Furthermore, COPA also questioned the non-implementation of the decision given by the court regarding the payment of pension. Thus, when the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration asked the Attorney General in this regard, the officials present said that the Attorney General had given instructions to implement the court order.

The COPA Chair said that the matter can be dealt with according to the instructions of the Attorney General. Accordingly, he discussed with the Minister in charge in this regard, and recommended that the reply be sent to COPA before September 01, 2023.Furthermore, regarding the issue related to the approved number of employees in this department, the COPA Chair has instructed the Department of Management Services to send a decision to the Ministry Secretary before the 16th of this month.

Furthermore, COPA also advised the officers present to focus on the performance of the tasks assigned to Samurdhi officers and to give specific work targets. Also, the COPA Chair instructed the officers present to give targets for Samurdhi officers at the regional and local levels and prepare a plan to monitor and evaluate the performance of the work on a timely basis.

Furthermore, there was a discussion on how to jointly implement Aswasuma program and Samurdhi program. It was mentioned that subsidy for low-income earners will be done through Aswasuma program and empowerment of these low-income earners will be done through Samurdhi program. As a result, COPA pointed out the need for both these programs to be implemented jointly.

Apart from this, the role of Samurdhi Banks and considering the possibility of disbursement of insurance subsidy through Samurdhi Banks was also discussed.

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NTC approves 2.5% reduction in bus fares (Update)

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) has approved a 2.5% reduction in bus fares effective from July 01 in line with the annual bus fare revision.

During a discussion between Transport Ministry officials and representatives of private bus associations, the government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by 2% was met by objections raised by bus operators.


(Previous News on 25th June 2025 at 4:51pm)

Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

The government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by a 2% effective from July 01 has led to the strong disapproval of bus associations, reports say.

It was also proposed not to revise the fares of the first two stages.

The announcement was made during a meeting between officials of the Transport Ministry and representatives of private bus associations to discuss the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for July 01.

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2025 A/L exam dates announced

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The Department of Examinations has confirmed that the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination will be held from Nov. 10 – Dec. 05, 2025, 

Accordingly, applications for the 2025 G.C.E. A/L exam will be accepted online from June 26 to July 21, 2025.

It is further stated that students of government schools and government-approved private schools must submit their applications through their respective school principals, while private candidates are required to submit their applications themselves.

A statement by the Department of Examinations noted that private applicants must use their National Identity Card (NIC) number when applying for the examination.

Applicants are advised to visit the official website of the Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka, www.doenets.lk or www.onlineexams.gov.lk/eic, to carefully read the relevant instructions and submit their applications accordingly. After submitting the application, candidates are urged to keep a printed copy with them in case of an emergency.

The username and password required by school applicants to submit their applications have already been provided to the respective school principals.

Applications will not be accepted after 12.00 midnight on July 21, 2025. It is also emphasized that the closing date will not be extended under any circumstances, the statement added.

For further inquiries, applicants are advised to contact the Department of Examinations via the following telephone numbers or email : Tel: 011-2784208, 011-2784537, 011-2785922 / Hotline: 1911 / Email: [email protected]

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UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

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A group of activists and families of missing persons handed over letters and memorandums to the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in Trincomalee today (June 25).

UN Human Rights Spokesperson – Jeremy Laurence, who is accompanying the High Commissioner, said while in Trincomalee that Mr. Volker Turk expressed sorrow and solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was also held in Trincomalee during this visit, where a group of activists and victims of disappearances was seen holding placards and banners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Kandy before concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (June 26) after a special press briefing in Colombo.

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