The trade union action initiated by five paramedical professions under the Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) will continue for a second consecutive day today (June 6), according to JCPSM General Secretary, Chanaka Dharmawickrama.

The 24-hour strike, which commenced yesterday (June 5) at 8:00 a.m., was initially scheduled to conclude this morning (06).

However, following a meeting held by the Executive Council of the JCPSM yesterday, it was decided to extend the strike to a 48-hour period.

The strike has been launched in protest over several longstanding issues, including delays in promotions, non-payment of weekend and holiday allowances, inadequate recruitment of graduates, discrepancies in salaries and allowances, and the failure to honor agreements regarding retirement conditions and internship placements.

In response to the strike, Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated yesterday (June 5) that discussions can only proceed if the striking employees first return to work.

Addressing the Minister’s remarks, the JCPSM noted that the strike was a result of the Ministry’s failure to engage positively and proactively to address their concerns.

In a statement, the union expressed disappointment that rather than resolving the grievances of paramedical professionals, the authorities had politicized the issues and misrepresented the demands.

The JCPSM further stated that the recent arbitrary decisions regarding the recruitment of graduates in supplementary medical professions left them with no alternative but to take trade union action.

Emphasizing that their actions are not politically motivated, the JCPSM clarified that the ongoing strike is not intended to destabilize the current government or support any political opposition, unlike certain politically driven trade union movements in the past.

The JCPSM has called on the Minister of Health and the Secretary to the Ministry to urgently intervene and take meaningful steps toward resolving their issues.

(adaderana.lk)

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

Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between Sri Lanka and India were fixed for June 12 by the Supreme Court yesterday (June 05).

The FR petitions were filed by a group of petitioners including President of the Patriotic National Movement Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and Treasurer of Vinivida Foundation – Sunil Jayasundara.

When the case was taken up by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Menaka Wijesundera, Senior Counsel Kanishka Witharana sought the earliest possible date to support the application, citing its urgency and national significance.

The Attorney General, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and members of the Cabinet have been named as respondents.

The petitioners claim the MoUs violate the constitution and international law, alleging it was signed without Parliament’s approval, with particulars kept from the public, undermining national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In addition to seeking an interim injunction preventing the MoUs from being executed after ruling that their fundamental rights have been violated, the petitioners also sought  Rs.02 million in compensation from the respondents.

Several MoUs between India and Sri Lanka, including defence cooperation, were exchanged on April 05 at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Meteorology Department says several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (June 06).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva and Eastern provinces and in Vavuniya and Mullaittivu districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Southern province.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.