News
Ten health sector unions launch two-day strike
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Initiatives to combat dengue and measles were hampered when 10 health sector unions, including the Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU), launched a two day token strike yesterday (10) demanding that they, too, be given a Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance amounting to Rs. 35,000 per month.
The 10 unions are affiliated with the Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) which has about 25,000 members.
Executive committee member of the PHIU Roshan Kumara told The Island that all government workers needed assistance.
“However, the government has decided to assist a group of professionals,” he said.
President of the Government Midwifery Service Association Devika Kodithuwakku said their union, too, was on strike but the activities of De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Castle Street Hospital for Women and Kethumathi Women’s Hospital Panadura would not be affected by the trade union action.
President of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary Medicine Ravi Kumudesh said that during the current week, health sector unions would try to demonstrate the repercussions of the government’s uneven treatment for health sector professionals.
“I would like to ask the Health Minister whether the health sector can be maintained by members of one profession. Please look into our concern or we will go for a general strike,” he said.
On Monday, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to increase the DAT allowance of doctors to 70,000 rupees, an increase of 35,000 rupees.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal forwarded by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala, the officer
in the special grade of Sri Lanka Surveyors’ Service currently serving as the Additional Surveyor General (Central) to the post of Surveyor General with effect from 02.02.2026.
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
Cabinet nod to obtain diagnostic reports under public-private partnership
Cabinet approves implementation of National Strategic Action tion Plan to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings – 2026- 2030
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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