News
Govt. urged to address grievances of management services personnel
Sri Lanka Management Service Association (SMSA) says that the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local government haven’t taken tangible measures so far to address their grievances.
SMSA Secretary Nuwan Pradeep Kithsiri told The Island that they faced severe salary anomalies and service discrepancies. Against the backdrop of growing unemployment among graduates, the SMSA proposed what Kithsiri called a sustainable solution to the Consultative Committee of the Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry to overcome the difficulties.
Alleging that the Consultative Committee failed to have a scientific discussion on SMSA’s proposals, Kithsiri said instead a sub-committee that inquired into the issues at hand put out an interim report. Responding to another query, Kithsiri alleged that it was meant to suppress the issues and definitely not to solve them.
Accusing the National People’s Power (NPP) government of turning a blind eye to their legitimate grievances, Kithsiri said that the administration would have to pay a price for following the advice of one or two trade union activists pursuing their own interests and the ministry.
This sort of approach could cause deterioration of the NPP government, he said, adding that the government should keep in mind that a particular position taken by the majority was not always right.
Kithsiri said that in the run-up to the last presidential election, held in Sept, 2024, SMSA handed over the same set of proposals to the Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasaratne, Director General of Combined Services S. Aloka Bandara, Director General of Management Services S.K. Liyanagama and Director General of Establishments H. A. Chandana Kumarasinghe. Unfortunately, none of them, individually or collectively, sought to intervene, Kithsiri claimed. According to him, successive governments deliberately deprived the management services of the position they deserved.
Kithsiri said that the government wanted the management services under their thumb and use them as political tools.
The incumbent government was taking steps to recruit required numbers to management services as it quite rightly realised their services were needed, Kithsiri said, while recalling the deterioration of management services by the use of development officers to carry through work of management service personnel. (SF)
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the “Ranaviru Sevana” Rehabilitation Centre in Ragama this morning (19) and inquired into the well-being of military personnel receiving residential treatment there.
During the visit, the President engaged in cordial discussions with the soldiers and commended the sacrifices made by all of them in safeguarding the unity of the motherland.
Thereafter, President Dissanayake also held discussions with the medical staff, including doctors serving at the “Ranaviru Sevana” Rehabilitation Centre, and looked into the possibility of further improving medical and other welfare facilities available for the military personnel undergoing treatment.
Minister of Science and Technology Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Director of Ranaviru Services and Rehabilitation of the Sri Lanka Army Brigadier R.G.L.K. Weerakoon, and Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority Brigadier Senarath Kohona (Retired) were among those who attended the occasion.
(PMD)
An opposition grouping alleged yesterday (18) that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had become a political tool in the hands of the JVP/NPP to suppress the Opposition both in and outside Parliament.
Former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris accused the CIABOC of fabricating cases against political opponents by manipulating those summoned. He tore into the institution, alleging that it drove people to suicide.
Addressing the media at the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road office, Prof. Peiris alleged that former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, had been a victim of that despicable strategy. Director General of CIABOC, ex-High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake, had warned Chandrasena of dire consequences unless the latter fully cooperated with the Commission, Prof. Peiris said.
Prof. Peiris emphasised the responsibility on the part of all concerned to examine Chandrasena’s affidavit regarding the intervention made by the Director General.
Chandrasena committed suicide while being on bail in connection with an investigation into the alleged USD 2 mn bribe to facilitate an Airbus deal during the second term of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prof. Peiris alleged that the CIABOC Director General had taken control of the Commission and was pursuing an agenda inimical to the law. (SF)
News
Over 5,000 military personnel promoted to coincide with 17th anniversary of victory over terrorism
In line with the 17th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day, which falls on 19 May, a total of 5,289 Tri Service personnel have been granted promotions to their next respective ranks in recognition of their dedicated service rendered to the nation, the Defence Ministry announced.
The National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day is commemorated annually on 19 May to honour and appreciate the invaluable sacrifices and exemplary service of members of the Tri Forces who contributed immensely towards restoring peace and safeguarding the sovereignty of the motherland.
Accordingly, these promotions have been awarded, based on the recommendations of the respective Service Commanders, and in accordance with the established administrative procedures of the Tri Forces.
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