News
Lanka to collaborate with the Philippines to develop migrant workers sector
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila organized a virtual meeting between the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment and the Department of Migrant Workers as a preliminary discussion on Sri Lanka’s interest to conduct a comprehensive study on the Philippines’ model of migrant worker recruitment and management, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.The interactive discussion centered on potential areas for collaboration between the two countries particularly in sharing notable policies, best practices, and mechanisms for the inclusive and sustainable management of labor migration.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Shobini Gunasekera highlighted the significant position of Sri Lanka and the Philippines as labor exporting countries and the valuable contribution of the migrant sector in economic recovery and development. She expounded on the need of pursuing a stronger bilateral in strengthening the sector through the emulation of sound policies and actions that also cover the protection and advancement of the welfare and rights of migrant workers.
The utmost importance of addressing the plethora of socio-economic issues that entails labor migration such as the “brain-drain” phenomenon, job security, abuse, and social costs that adversely affect the families left behind in their home countries were also discussed.
Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation of the Department of Migrant Workers-Philippines (DMW) Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan chaired the session from the Philippines’ side. She welcomed the initiative of Sri Lanka to work with the Philippines in the capacity development in the migrant workers sector. She briefed the attendees of the mandate, initiatives, and programs of the DMW and the potential areas where both countries may collaborate especially in policy reforms, formulation of mechanisms, and engagement with labor destination countries.
Consequently, Additional General Manager (International Affairs) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment M.R.C.B Ekanayake, elaborated on Sri Lanka’s interest to learn from the Philippines’ experience in bilateral engagements with labor destination countries in the Middle East, skills and capability development of migrant workers, as well as on the established mechanisms and policies for protection of welfare and rights.
In his closing remarks, Senior Assistant Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment K. Nikarilkanth, expressed his gratitude for the interaction and enjoined both parties to pursue the worthwhile collaboration for the benefit of the two countries.The two agencies signified their interest and committed to expand the said interaction into a series of virtual discussions in the coming weeks with the attendance of more relevant public sector stakeholders.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
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