News

Sri Lankans rescued from Myanmar repatriated

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with Sri Lanka Missions in Myanmar and Thailand successfully facilitated the repatriation of eight Sri Lankans who were trafficked for forced criminal activities in cyber scamming compounds in Myanmar.

Myanmar law enforcement authorities rescued these Sri Lankans on 4 April 2024, following the request by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Embassy officials in Bangkok received them on 11 April 2024 at the Mae Sot border gate in Thailand, and subsequently they were brought to Bangkok and provided accommodation until their repatriation was arranged with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration.

The International Organization for Migration provided logistical assistance in repatriating the rescued Sri Lankans. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar, through the Eden Foundation, a charity organization based in Myanmar, provided them with food and other necessities during their temporary stay at the Myawaddy Police Station following the rescue from traffickers.

The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry coordinated the repatriation process in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and Director General/Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry A.S.K Senavirthne received the eight Sri Lankans at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The eight Sri Lankans expressed their deep appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its persistent efforts in ensuring their safe return to Sri Lanka,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand as well as other stakeholders, including IOM for their assistance in this regard.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

News

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Published

14 mins ago

May 1, 2024

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The Wages Board has issued a Gazette notification to increase the minimum daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1700.

The minimum daily wage of workers engaged in the Tea, Rubber Growing and Raw rubber Manufacturing Trades are as follows :

2382-04_E Download

News

Operators say no reduction of bus fare

Published

44 mins ago

May 1, 2024

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Bus operators have said bus fares cannot be reduced despite the reduction of diesel prices.
President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association – Gemunu Wijeratne has said a fare reduction could only be made in July.

Wijeratne said the annual fare revision was in July 2023, based on the pricing formula in the national policy on bus fares.

Wijeratne said for bus fares to be reduced, the diesel prices should be reduced by at least Rs.55.

Noting that there were various price fluctuations over the past 10 months, he said that they’ve been operating at a loss for the past three months with the recent price revision only allowing a profit of Rs.03.

As per the monthly fuel revision, fuel prices were reduced from midnight yesterday.

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CPC slashes fuel prices

News

Mirissa to be made a Blue Flag Coastal Zone

Published

56 mins ago

May 1, 2024

nipuni

Cabinet approval has been granted to convert the Mirissa marine zone into a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a marine wildlife sanctuary conforming to international standards.

In the meeting held in May 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the proposal regarding the declaration of the Mirissa Marine Zone as a wildlife sanctuary.

A ministerial sub-committee headed by the Prime Minister was appointed to further study the proposal with the participation of all relevant parties and submit recommendations to the Cabinet.

The sub-committee has made recommendations aimed at increasing the tourism economy of the southern province by five times by turning the Mirissa maritime zone into a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a Marine Wildlife Sanctuary conforming to international standards.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister to implement those recommendations through relevant ministries and institutions.