By Saman Indrajith

Chief Government Whip and Health and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, told Parliament yesterday that the government would never be able to pay the salaries that health workers receive in the UK and Australia because the country simply did not have the funds to do so.

“If anyone hopes to receive salaries similar to those paid in the UK and Australia here, we must remind them of the reality that there are no funds for that,” Dr. Jayatissa said, making a special statement on the token strike action by healthcare professionals.

Dr. Jayatissa emphasised that strikes in the healthcare sector, which endangered patients’ lives, were unacceptable.

He acknowledged the need for fair wage increases but stressed that holding patients’ lives hostage during such strikes was condemnable.

Dr. Jayatissa also stated that despite the government’s efforts to increase basic salaries of healthcare professionals, certain groups had chosen to strike, causing significant disruption to medical services.

Dr Jayatissa said that the Ministry of Finance had arranged for a meeting with the striking groups on 17 March to discuss their concerns. However, the groups announced their strike immediately after the meeting.

The minister said: “As a government, we have given a basic salary increase for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine, and the Interim Medical Services. We have added Rs. 22,000 to the basic salary of Rs. 32,000. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 37,190 we have added Rs. 26,120. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 44,520, we have added Rs. 32,010-. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 54, 590, we have added Rs. 43,320/-.”

Dr Jayatissa said that it was the taxpayers who funded those salary hikes. “It is unfair for senior citizens and other patients to be turned away from hospitals due to the strike.”

“The President is ready to make time to meet and discuss the real issues of the strikers. Instead, they are holding patients to ransom. We have given them a meeting on Wednesday (19) as well. We are ready for talks,” he said.

UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche emphasized that Sri Lanka’s ongoing path of economic recovery and reforms need a more responsive, accountable public service, improved service delivery, economic modernization, and strengthened social dialogue at both national and local levels. The UN official asserted that social dialogue is key to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and social cohesion.

The UN Resident Coordinator was addressing the second steering committee meeting of the Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention in Sri Lanka project, a collaborative initiative between the Government of Sri Lanka, and the United Nations held recently at the UN Compound in Colombo. The meeting, chaired by the UN, Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government & Provincial Councils, and Ministry of Labour, focussed on progress in advancing social dialogue, dispute resolution, and public sector inclusion.

Launched in 2024, the project, is implemented by the UN through the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The project aims to foster a peaceful, inclusive, and just response to the effects of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. This is achieved through social dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms at both national and local levels.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Justice, workers’ and employers’ organization, to discuss the project’s progress and key developments. Highlights of recent efforts include establishing six public sector workplace forums, conducting awareness sessions on social dialogue and workplace cooperation for priority sectors, as well as training on gender responsive public service delivery. These efforts foster conflict resolution, harmonious workplaces, and a culture of social dialogue.

The Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government & Provincial Councils, underscored the salient role of the public sector in economic recovery efforts, and the importance of a sector equipped for both a stronger, efficient service delivery to public and private sectors.

The Secretary, Ministry of Labour emphasized the importance of social dialogue in the public sector both within institutions as well as externally which would lead to a collective voice and maintaining industrial peace.

The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government and Provincial Councils, commended the project for creating additional platforms to interact with public officials at all levels.

The pilot phase of the project saw success in the railway sector, where 10 workplace forums were established, helping minimize service disruptions. The project also aims to develop a national industrial dispute database to support policymaking, enhance gender responsiveness in the public sector, and amplify community voices in national policy making structures.

The project is funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund with support from Canada, European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund and the Joint SDG Fund.

The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) hosted an inspiring Women’s Day celebration, emphasising the contributions and challenges of women in science. The event, held in a vibrant and inclusive setting, brought together distinguished female professionals, and aspiring scientists from various institutions, namely: University Grants Commission, Advanced Technological Institute, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka National Chapter of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (SLNC-OWSD), Fairway Biotech (Pvt) Ltd, Women in Engineering Institute of electrical and electronic engineering (WIE-IEEE), Iinstitution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA), The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS), and Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) to foster discussions on gender equality and empowerment in STEM fields .

The gathering was welcomed by Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa, the General President of SLAAS, who set the stage with insightful remarks on the significance of recognising and supporting women in scientific careers.

A notable highlight of the event was the Keynote Address by Inoka Liyanagama, Director of Customer Interface Transformation at MAS Holdings. Her speech underscored the importance of leadership and innovation, inspiring many young women to strive for excellence in their respective scientific domains.

The event’s central attraction was a Panel Discussion titled Women in Science – Overcoming Challenges and Paving the Path Forward. The panel featured a lineup of distinguished female professionals, including:

· Gayani de Alwis, Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka

· Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa, Founder & Chief Scientist of Gene labs Medical (Pvt) Ltd.

Anuradha Amarakoon, Manager of Process Excellence at MAS Legato Pvt Ltd.

The discussion was moderated by Prof. Ramanee D Wijesekera, Immediate Past General President of SLAAS. Gayani de Alwis emphasised the importance of gender equality in modern economic development and the need for more female representation in decision-making roles. She shared her journey of overcoming industry biases and provided advice on leadership and career progression for young women interested in the field.

Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa shed light on the role of women in medical research and biotechnology, detailing her experiences in leading Genelabs Medical. She highlighted the importance of fostering innovation, research collaborations, and mentorship opportunities to encourage more women to engage in medical sciences.

Anuradha Amarakoon spoke about process excellence and operational efficiency in corporate environments. She addressed challenges faced by women in achieving leadership positions and stressed the significance of continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience in professional growth.

Following the panel discussion, Dr. Charithri Yapa, Vice Chairperson of IEEE WIE Sri Lanka Section, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising the need for continued advocacy and support for women in science and technology.

The event was sponsored by Unilever Sri Lanka, Hemas consumer brands, Pure Herb Inventions (pvt) Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser, acknowledging the contributions of organisations that support gender equality initiatives in STEM.

The formal proceedings concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Iresha Attanayake, Joint General Secretary of SLAAS. Her remarks expressed gratitude to the speakers, organisers, and attendees for making the event a success.

The celebration ended on a high note with a Networking session, where participants engaged in meaningful conversations, formed new connections, and shared their aspirations for the future. The SLAAS Women’s Day event not only recognised the incredible achievements of women in science but also served as a platform for knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and empowerment. It reinforced the importance of creating inclusive opportunities and continuing to inspire future generations of women in STEM.