News
Labour Dept calls for representation on Central Bank’s Monetary Board for EPF decision-making
During a recent session of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labor in parliament, Department of Labor officials raised concerns about the exclusive decision-making authority of the Central Bank’s Monetary Board over the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). Emphasizing the need for the Labor Department’s representation on the Monetary Board, parliament sources said.
The Committee, convened at the parliamentary complex, primarily addressed the significant contribution of informal sector employees to the EPF. Discussions highlighted that approximately 60% of individuals employed in the service sector operate within the informal economy. The committee underscored that channeling contributions to the EPF from this sector could substantially enhance social security provisions for these workers.
Committee revelations unveiled that presently, around eighty thousand organizations are registered with the Department of Labor for EPF payments. However, the Committee Chairman expressed concerns over the insufficient number of registered companies and directed the Department to establish a comprehensive system to identify unregistered entities liable for employee welfare fund contributions.
Under the leadership of SJB MP Hector Appuhami, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labor convened at the Parliamentary complex. Labor Department officials informed the committee about the initial steps taken towards digitizing their operations. They disclosed plans for implementing a digital platform known as the National Labor Market Information System to collect labor market-related data efficiently.
Discussions within the committee highlighted challenges arising from discrepancies between the Department of Labor’s and the Central Bank’s methodologies. Members recognized potential obstacles in accessing funds and stressed the necessity of devising a more accurate system for inputting membership information.
The session was attended by MPs including Gamini Lokage, Faisal Kasim, Kapila Athukorala, SM Marikkar, Ishaq Rahman, Sahan Pradeep Withana, and Vadivel Suresh.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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