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CEB employees launch ‘sick note’ campaign, pay rise to cost govt. an additional Rs. 9bn

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By Ifham Nizam

Notwithstanding the economic crisis triggered largely by the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is expected to grant a 25 per cent salary increase to the 28,000 workforce of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which will cost the Treasury an additional Rs. 9 billion annually, official sources said.

As a protest against the delay in granting the salary increment due in January 2021, around 90 per cent of CEB workers launched a ‘sick note’ campaign on Thursday.

“Despite the cash crunch, the workers’ demand for a pay rise will have to be granted though the additional financial burden is unbearable”, the sources said.

The Sunday Island learns that Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma will submit a cabinet paper on Monday to secure the Rs. 9 billion required annually to meet the additional financial commitment.

Petroleum and Water Board employees were earlier given a 25 per cent salary increase. However, CEB employees had demanded a 36 per cent rise, which works out to more than Rs. 12 billion annually,” a top official said.

CEB Employees’ Union General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said that Thursday’s ‘sick note’ campaign was launched to draw the attention of the management to the delay in granting the pay hike due in January this year.

He said that CEB employees receive salary increments every three years. The last was in 2018, but what was due in January 2021 did not happen.

“We were patient because of the prevailing Covid-19 situation. Though we submitted our proposals before the due date, there was no response. There are no politics involved here. We are protesting against the injustice done to the employees,” he said.

CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath said a Collective Agreement has been signed to raise the salaries of employees by 25 percent.

The proposal for a pay rise will be submitted to the cabinet for approval, he added.



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President outlines a bold vision for Sri Lanka tourism at THASL’s 58th AGM

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Addressing the 58th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) held on Monday (27) at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a comprehensive strategy to propel the country’s tourism sector to new heights. Focused on surpassing the target of 5 million tourists and redefining traditional approaches, the President’s vision extends to achieving 7.5 million visitors in the coming years. The President emphasized the need for innovative thinking and collaboration within the industry to ensure sustainable growth.

“When I took over the government, I realized that sustainability alone is not sufficient. How are we going to earn foreign exchange? How are we going to have a positive balance of trade? In that, there were many suggestions. But what is the low-hanging fruit? And one of the low-hanging fruits was tourism. Let’s promote tourism fully,” President Wickremesinghe declared.

The President acknowledged the need to move beyond the existing framework and embrace competition to elevate Sri Lanka’s standing in the global tourism market. Drawing parallels with countries like Vietnam, he questioned why they had more tourists despite being in the industry for a shorter period. President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of increasing the number of tourists to 2.5 million in the upcoming year and subsequently expanding on this figure.

(PMD)

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Free visas for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan from Monday (27)

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The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has stated that nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan will be granted free visas from Monday 27-11-2023 to 31-03-2024 as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry.

Nationals of the above nominated countries possessing, Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Services and Ordinary Passports are eligible to enjoy a visa free regime under this scheme.

The above mentioned nationals should apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka subject to granting / issuing free of charge up to 31-03-2024.

Under this scheme tourists can enjoy a 30 days free visa period and a double entry facility is permitted within 30 days from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.

Free ETA under this scheme can be applied up to 31-03-2024.

The free ETA cannot be extended further and is limited only to thirty (30) days. In case the free ETA period of 30 days expires after 31-03-2024, an extension of visa could be applied subject to paying the appropriate fee.

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Cabinet gives green light for Colombo Port City Order No. 3 of 2023 to be presented in Parliament

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The President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion has published the Colombo Port City Orders No. 3 of 2023 (Enterprises with Strategic Value – Guidelines for releasing or encouraging to award for customs – free enterprises) under the provisions of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2355/30 dated 25.10.2023.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotions to submit the said orders to the Parliament for its concurrence.

(PMD)

 

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