News

Trade unions’ demands unfair, says Health Ministry

Published

1 year ago

January 12, 2024

editor

While admitting that the health workers deserve a pay hike, the Health Ministry said the pay hike that the health trade unions are demanding is not fair at this juncture.

The token strike was organized in protest at the government’s decision to exclusively raise the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance by Rs 35,000 for doctors.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Deputy Director General (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said the primary focus of the Health Ministry is to guarantee the effective and appropriate delivery of healthcare services to the general public.

“In addition, we also ensure that the health workers are facilitated. However, the grievance that the trade unions are voicing at present is not reasonable due to the fact that the doctors are paid the allowance given their professional standards,” he pointed out.

“Moreover, if regular health workers are requesting a salary increase similar to what has been given to doctors, it may not be considered a justifiable request,” he added.

Nevertheless, he said the Health Ministry had contemplated recommending a reasonable pay hike to the all health workers in due course.

Patients across the region face significant inconvenience as all health personnel, including administrative officers, health management assistants, development officers, assistants and hospital health assistants unite for a 48- hour strike.

Despite the strike ending this morning, the trade unions warn of resorting to another strike next week.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.