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Postal strikers return to work following talks with minister

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Postal workers resumed duties from 4.00 p.m. yesterday (24) following discussions with Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, ending a week-long strike that had disrupted postal services nationwide.

The industrial action, launched on Sunday (17) by several unions including the Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union and the United Postal Trade Unions’ Front (UPTUF), was prompted by 19 unresolved demands. During the strike, many post offices came to a standstill, leaving customers facing significant delays.

Speaking after the talks, Minister Jayatissa said postal workers had agreed to suspend the trade union action and return to normal duties. “While the government was not ready to discuss two main requests from the unions, it is ready to address the remaining 17,” he noted.

The Minister also announced that biometric attendance systems would be introduced from Monday at the operations and administrative divisions of the Central Mail Exchange, and the government’s proposed overtime payment regulations, effective from March, will be implemented without changes.

Union leaders confirmed the decision. Chinthaka Bandara, co-convener of UPTUF, said the unions were prepared to continue discussions with the Minister.

Jagath Mahinda, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Postal Services Association, said a large number of striking postal employees had returned to work, and postal service would return to normal tomorrow.

The week-long strike caused more than 500,000 domestic and international letters and parcels to accumulate, according to Manjula Bandara Jayasundara, General Secretary of the Postal and Telecommunication Officers’ Association. He said that around 350,000 items had already piled up by last Friday, with the total expected to exceed 500,000 due to the work stoppage.

by Chaminda Silva and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️



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Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

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Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

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New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

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Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

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Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

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