News

CP urges govt not to downsize public sector

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/6

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has urged the government not to downsize the public sector.

The CP statement said: “Senior Presidential Economics Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa has warned that the Treasury is unlikely to maintain current expenditure levels in the coming years. He suggests that the government will do this by a drastic reduction of the public sector workforce, slashing the current 1.3 million employees to just 750,000. He suggests substituting “digitalisation” for a trained workforce.

“However, this goes against the stated policy of the National People’s Power (NPP) on which both President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and the current government was elected. The NPP Manifesto published in August states on page 111 that it would be:

“Conducting an immediate census to identify information such as the skills and qualifications of workers to re-position them to achieve new socio-economic goals to increase the efficiency of the government service instead of the popular option of laying workers off.”

“Past attempts at cost-reduction through laying off employees has only resulted in a reduction in the delivery of services to the public, increases in waste and expenditure and sometimes in work coming to a standstill. Reducing the cadre, without reference to the work carried out by the staff, only reduces efficiency. Improving the efficiency of the state sector requires a thoroughgoing, holistic analysis of the workings of each department and institution. Often the staff need to be trained for their existing jobs, or retrained for different work.

“It is obvious from the words of Senior Presidential Economics Advisor that the NPP regime has no intention of honouring its commitment to the people to find alternatives to sacking lakhs of workers. By assuring the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it would carry through the programme agreed with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the NPP has signed a “pact with the devil” from which it cannot escape.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka roundly condemns this attempt by the NPP Regime to break its promise to the people by putting lakhs of government workers onto the road. We call upon the people, the trade unions and other progressive forces to act together to force the NPP regime to carry out its promise to the people to increase the efficiency of the state sector without laying off employees.”

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 3.30 p.m. on 20 April 2026, valid for 21 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.

Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.

Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.

Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.

Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.