Connect with us

News

Trade unions’ demands unfair, says Health Ministry

Published

on

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

Canteen, hotel food prices to increase from tonight

Published

on

By

The All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today.  

Association Chairman Harshana Rukshan said that the price of a cup of plain tea will increase by Rs. 5, a cup of milk tea by Rs. 10, a plate of fried rice and kottu by Rs. 30, and the prices of short eats by Rs. 10.  

Addressing the media, he said that no concessions were provided for canteen and restaurant owners in the recent budget.  

“Even though the price of a packet of salt has increased to Rs. 200, the price of an egg has risen again to Rs. 35, a kilogram of chicken costs more than Rs. 1,000 and the price of coconuts has reached a maximum of Rs. 220, we did not request the President to reduce the prices of any of these items.  

“Unfortunately, no support has been provided for the protection of canteens and restaurants in the country,” he added.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

News

Ex-minister indicted

Published

on

By

Indictments have been served against former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne before the Colombo High Court today (Feb. 18).

He faces charges of allegedly committing an offence of “corruption” by influencing officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deposit an amount of Rs. 494,000 to an account of a bank in Chilaw, during his tenure as the Minister of Civil Aviation.

The indictment sheets, filed by the Bribery Commission, were handed over to the court before the High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne today.

The judge subsequently ordered to release the ex-minister on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each

Continue Reading

BIZ

Price of bread reduced

Published

on

By

Bakery owners have agreed to reduce the price of a loaf of bread by Rs. 10, according to the Ministry of Trade.

This follows a decision by two leading flour manufacturers in Sri Lanka – Serendib Flour Mills and Prima, to reduce the price of wheat flour by Rs. 10 per kilogramme.

Related News :

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved