News
ILO boss praises govt. for estate workers’ wage hike
Director-General of the International Labour Organisation Gilbert F. Houngbo has lauded the Sri Lankan government’s recent move to grant a 70 percent salary increment to plantation sector workers.
Houngbo commended the government for increasing the estate workers’ salaries when Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara met him on the sidelines of the Annual International Labour Conference (ILC) of the ILO at its UN headquarters in Geneva, the Ministry said.
Minister Nanayakkara was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the ILO/UN, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, Balasubramaniam Vasanthan, the Commissioner General of Labour, H.K.K.A. Jayasundara, and Advisor cum Private Secretary to the Minister, Shan Yahampath. The meeting was also attended by Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, the Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the ILO.
During the meeting, Minister Nanayakkara presented several key initiatives and ongoing projects by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, highlighting Sri Lanka’s commitment to improving labour standards and employment conditions.
The Minister discussed the progress towards ratifying the Work in Fishing Convention (C188). The Ministry of Fisheries has addressed identified gaps, and the government expects to ratify the convention soon.
Provisions in the new Employment Act aimed at combating discrimination, workplace violence, and protecting domestic workers were elaborated.
Plans to ratify the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155), Domestic Workers Convention (C189), and Violence and Harassment Convention (C190) were also outlined.
An update was provided on the development of the National Labour Market Information System which aims to address existing gaps in the labour market by providing comprehensive data and insights and Labour Market Recovery and Transformation Strategy launched on May 21, 2024, with ILO’s support.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Eshan Malinga keeps getting them in the second half
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure as ministers quit, 80 MPs urge him to resign
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