News

Thai PM justifies frequent international trips, including a visit to Sri Lanka

Published

5 days ago

June 23, 2024

editor

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended his frequent globe-trotting during his first 10 months as leader of the Southeast Asian nation, in remarks aired in a television broadcast on Saturday.

A real estate tycoon and political newcomer who became prime minister in August last year, Srettha made 15 overseas visits and pledged a two-month halt in March in response to public criticism.

“Some of these visits are not avoidable,” he said, referring to those for official meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as to China and Japan, while a third was to Sri Lanka to sign a free trade pact.

Other visits aimed to draw trade and investment, said Srettha, nicknamed Thailand’s salesman, who has often spoken of his goal of luring more foreign investment to the country.

“It’s necessary to go,” he said in the remarks recorded in advance.

Source: Reuters

–Agencies

News

Grama Niladhari strike stalls essential services

Published

2 hours ago

June 28, 2024

editor

The strike launched by Grama Niladhari Officers is still ongoing.

The strike was launched citing several concerns including the absence of a Grama Niladhari Service Constitution.

Co-Convener of the Grama Niladhari Officers’ Union Jagath Chandralal said that due to this, many government services have stalled.

He said these include essential services such as issuance of Grama Niladhari certificates and death registration.

Grama Niladhari Officers launched this strike yesterday after taking various union actions to pursue their demands on several occasions.

(News 1st)

(This story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Bandula asks teachers to report to work ; CTU responds

Published

2 hours ago

June 28, 2024

editor

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, as Acting Education Minister has requested all teachers to report to work and dedicate themselves to educate children without engaging in trade union action further.

The Minister also said that he would request the parents to send all their children to schools as usual. The Minister made these remarks while addressing a special press conference to raise awareness regarding the ongoing teachers’ and principals’ strike at the Government Information Department, yesterday (27).

However, responding to the Acting Education Minister’s statement, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) said that it is up to them to decide, not the Minister.

Speaking to ‘Daily Mirror’, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin has said that during the tenure of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana, nothing substantial was provided for teachers.

“We only held a strike for two days. We will not report for duties as he said. Initially, we planned a single-day campaign. The government forced us into today’s strike after using water cannons and tear gas against us yesterday. That’s why we’ve decided to continue our sick leave campaign for today,” he has said.