News

World Fisheries Day celebrations in Beruwala today!

Published

1 year ago

November 21, 2022

editor

The World Fisheries Day celebrations will be held at the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat premises at 10.00 a.m. today (21) under the aegis of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena .

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and State Minister Piyal Nishantha de Silva will also join in this event and introduce the new fisheries insurance scheme, a new pension scheme under the ‘Dola Rala Saviya’ programme implemented on a concept of the State Minister.

Introducing the ‘Diyawara Kekulu’ Children’s Savings Account, issuing a commemorative stamp, awarding scholarships to the children of the fisheries community who obtained excellent results, providing financial assistance to new entrepreneurs in the ornamental fish industry and a discourse on the Fisheries Charter will also be held today.

A new insurance policy called “Dheewara Rakuma” will be introduced to fishermen in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. In case of death or incapacity while engaged in fishing due to an accident, the fisherman or the family members will be awarded compensation ranging from Rs. 1.2 million – 2 million.

If a fisherman goes missing due to an accident while engaged in fishing, the family will be given Rs.7,500 per month for up to 12 months.

Fishermen can receive these benefits by paying premiums ranging from Rs.1,865-2,000 annually.

A new pension scheme is being launched in association with the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, to which fishermen aged 18 to 59 years can contribute. This pension is available to fishermen from the age of 60.

This pension will be given to the spouse of the member and their children in case of a death.

The Ministry of Fisheries together with the Bank of Ceylon will introduce the ‘Diyawara Kekulu’ children’s savings account today, under which money will be given to fishermen’s children every month for educational activities. The amount in the children’s savings account will be increased tenfold in case of the sudden death of their father.

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

10 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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