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Labour Dept. insists on strong employee – employer relationships for industrial peace

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4 years ago

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by Sanath Nanayakkare

In the past, Inspectors of the Labour Department visiting and checking business establishments was perceived as a ‘raid’, and now it’s time to have a break in this perception and promote mutual understanding between employers and employees over the direction industrial relations should go beyond the existing labour laws, the Labour Department said on Tuesday.

It is worth thinking about the combined contribution of both employers and employees because there is a lot of rationale for developing good industrial relations and creating a great work place to significantly boost employees’ job prospects and employers’ earning prospects, they said.

W.P. Nimal Weerasinghe, Labour Officer, Human Resources Development Division of the Department of Labour made these comment on Tuesday while speaking at an awareness session titled ‘Social Dialogue and Workplace Cooperation’, organised by the Chamber Academy of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

“Human resource is an asset and not a liability for any institution and both employers and employees should have positive attitudes towards each other to promote industrial peace and create a win-win situation for both parties without letting the work force to become a headache for the institution,” he said.

Addressing the audience consisting of managers of various businesses represented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the expert in labour relations and resolving labour disputes further said:

“There shouldn’t be a disconnect between the employers and employees. However, at times when workers fight for their rights, they might decide to go on strike. And employers might decide to shut the institution to prevent strikes from happening in the premises. Such a situation could lead to a stoppage of production or service and cause negative results for both employers and employees.”

“Frederick Taylor (1856 -1915) best known for his principles of scientific management, said,” Workers are naturally lazy, due to a range of reasons of being unmotivated and finding work boring. So assign them work, guide, help, and encourage and get them to do the job.”

“In contrast, Elton Mayo (1880 – 1949) industrial researcher and organisational theorist said,” Managers can increase productivity by placing trust in the employees to work independently with the least supervision. I’d like to ask as managers how do you view these two points of view? If you give workers the freedom, will they do the work as expected of them? Do they have to be consistently managed and supervised? Managers should let conscientious workers work independently and indifferent workers to work under supervision. But you might have a problem if you try to supervise conscientious workers and let indifferent workers to work independently. In this context, the Labour Department would like to put the more neutral Japanese 5S Methodology in between these two theories. According to Japanese 5S, a good manager is invisible because he or she is not only leading but also working with their team to achieve the set goals and targets. So, you must have the ability to distinguish these characteristics in the work place and produce the best results for your employers, employees and your organisation. Managers have to play a hybrid role of a decision maker and an employee. So you need to strike the right balance between these very difficult dynamics. If you can achieve that, your labour force won’t turn out to be a headache, instead they will become a real asset to your organisation.”

G. W. N. Viraji, Labour Commissioner said that both employees and employers must not be swayed by emotions when they deal with an industrial issue.

“You need to look at each other’s perspective with empathy. You need to listen to each other and cooperate to resolve the issues together and move forward.”

She highlighted the fact that both parties should honestly consider who has actually caused the problem on the basis that ‘sometimes you are the problem’ and own up to your commitments and accountabilities without placing the blame on the other.”

P.A.S.C Pathiraja, Assistant Commissioner of Labour also made a presentation at the webinar and cleared many concerns of the participants about industrial issues at the Q and A.


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ADB pledges over $1 billion annually to Sri Lanka in post-cyclone recovery push

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18 hours ago

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2026/03/13

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ADB President Masato Kanda meets Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at ADB’s Manila headquarters.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at ADB’s Manila headquarters recently. The meeting reaffirmed the strong development partnership between ADB and Sri Lanka, with both leaders underscoring their commitment to post-cyclone recovery, inclusive growth, and advancing women’s equality.

“Sri Lanka’s resilience in the face of crises has been remarkable,” said Kanda. “We are committed to helping Sri Lanka rebuild after Cyclone Ditwah, while also investing in the country’s future by empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening education and essential skills.”

Looking ahead, ADB is ready to provide more than $1 billion annually to Sri Lanka from 2026 to 2029. This financing will target macroeconomic stability, private sector-led growth, education and skills development, and resilient infrastructure. Key initiatives include a major digital transformation program to help unlock Sri Lanka’s digital economy, alongside support for its accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to deepen its integration into regional trade and investment networks.

During their discussion, Kanda emphasized ADB’s response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Building on emergency financing already mobilized, ADB is fast-tracking an emergency assistance loan to restore damaged infrastructure and support affected livelihoods.

With Dr. Amarasuriya serving as the keynote speaker for ADB’s International Women’s Day event, the leaders highlighted women’s equality as a cornerstone of inclusive development. Kanda noted ADB’s long-standing work as an implementing partner of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, which expands access to finance, business skills training, and policy reform for women-owned enterprises. This partnership has helped drive lasting change, with Sri Lanka becoming one of the first countries to adopt the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code at the national level in March 2025.

Dr. Amarasuriya also engaged in dialogue facilitated by ADB to advance Sri Lanka’s skills agenda, including discussions on referencing skills and qualifications with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and on mutual areas of interest with the Philippines related to technical and vocational education and training.

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New Board appointed to lead Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka

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18 hours ago

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2026/03/13

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The Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka (UTASL) announced its new Board of Directors, appointing Jeevan Sukumaran of SENFIN Asset Management as President. The Board assumes leadership at a time of significant growth and resilience in Sri Lanka’s Unit Trust industry. Over the past five years, the number of unit holders has more than doubled, while assets under management have grown substantially, reflecting a clear shift in investor behaviour amid evolving economic conditions.

The 2026–2027 Board includes Vice President Kavin Karunamoorthy (First Capital Wealth Management), Secretary Asanka Herath (Lynear Wealth Management), Assistant Secretary Gayan De Silva (Capital Alliance), and Treasurer Wishan Perera (Softlogic Invest).

President Jeevan Sukumaran highlighted the importance of expanding the industry’s reach and increasing retail participation nationwide. “Whilst the Unit Trust industry has grown significantly in recent years, the next phase must focus on broadening retail investor participation across Sri Lanka’s different geographic/demographic sectors, with the key priority being strengthening investor education and awareness, particularly outside major urban centres. Improving financial literacy and expanding access to professionally managed investment solutions are essential to building long-term confidence and encouraging more Sri Lankans to invest in unit trusts.”

The new Board intends to build on the industry’s recent momentum by prioritising investor education, digital accessibility, and product innovation. Over the coming years, enhanced digital platforms are expected to make Unit Trust products more accessible, enabling investors across the country to participate in capital markets in a convenient and transparent manner.

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Indiya at Cinnamon Life enters a flavourful new chapter

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18 hours ago

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2026/03/13

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Colombo’s vibrant dining landscape has received a fresh infusion of flavour with the renewed culinary direction of Indiya, the signature Indian restaurant perched high above the city at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams. With celebrated Indian chef Mukesh Joshi now steering the kitchen, the restaurant is presenting a menu that celebrates the depth, diversity and soul of Indian cuisine while subtly weaving in Sri Lankan influences.

Located on the spectacular Level 23 of the sprawling Cinnamon Life complex, Indiya’s setting itself feels like a prelude to the culinary journey that unfolds at the table.

The restaurant’s sweeping views of Colombo’s skyline provide a dramatic backdrop to a menu designed to take diners across India’s many culinary regions — from the fragrant biryani traditions of Awadh to the bold spice profiles of coastal kitchens.

At the heart of this new chapter is Chef Mukesh Joshi, a culinary craftsman whose career spans some of India’s most renowned hospitality institutions as well as prominent dining establishments in the Middle East.

Having honed his skills at luxury hotels such as The Westin and St. Regis Mumbai before leading kitchens in Dubai’s thriving Indian dining scene, Joshi is known for his ability to balance traditional flavours with contemporary finesse.

At Indiya, his philosophy is simple yet compelling: celebrate the authenticity of Indian cooking while creating dishes that encourage sharing and conversation.

The experience begins with a vibrant array of small plates that capture the playful spirit of India’s street food traditions. The crisp Sev Papdi Chaat offers bursts of sweet, tangy and spicy notes, while a generous Pakora Platter brings together an assortment of golden-fried fritters that evoke the comforting flavours of roadside tea stalls across the subcontinent.

From there, the menu moves naturally into the world of the tandoor — the clay oven that lies at the heart of many Indian kitchens. Among the highlights is the Hariyali Tandoori Gobi, where cauliflower is marinated in a fragrant blend of herbs before being charred to smoky perfection. Equally intriguing is the Rajma Galouti, a vegetarian reinterpretation of the famed Lucknowi kebab, delivering a melt-in-the-mouth texture that surprises and delights.

Seafood lovers will find much to savour as well. Jhinga Koliwada, a coastal delicacy of spiced prawns fried to a crisp exterior, offers a lively contrast to the delicately seasoned Rawa Fried Surmai. These dishes reflect Chef Mukesh’s confident handling of spice and texture — two essential pillars of Indian cooking.

No Indian dining experience would be complete without the ritual of sharing freshly baked breads, and Indiya’s basket arrives warm and inviting. Chilli Cheese Naan brings a playful modern twist to a classic favourite, while flaky parathas and stuffed Aloo Kulcha provide comforting companions to the restaurant’s richly spiced curries.

By Ifham Nizam

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