News
DAT allowance dispute: 72 health sector unions launch indefinite strike today
Minister Pathirana to meet strikers
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Seventy two health sector trade unions would commence an indefinite strike from today (16) at 6.30 am, President of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary Medicine, Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island on yesterday (15).
Kumudesh said that the unions had been compelled to launch a strike because the government had ignored the overwhelming majority of health sector workers and increased the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance only for doctors.
Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana is scheduled to meet health sector unions at 11 am today.
Kumudesh said the Cabinet-of-Ministers had, on 08 Jan. approved a proposal to double the DAT allowance for doctors. Now, doctors receive a DAT allowance up to Rs. 70,000 per month.
Kumudesh said he had written to the Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana asking for a meeting.
However, they would continue to work at all paediatric, cancer and kidney hospitals, the Central Blood Bank, and the Institute of Mental Health on a voluntary basis, Kumudesh said.
“If the government tries to break the strike by deploying the military or if some senior officials try to intimidate striking workers, we will withdraw from the voluntary services as well.”
President of the Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) Upul Rohana mentioned that about 100,000 health workers would be on strike, starting Tuesday.
Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Dr. Haritha Aluthge, said the strike was unfair.
“These unions have asked for a salary increase of Rs 20,000 for the state sector workers. There were no other demands. The government has agreed to give a salary hike of 10,000 rupees. Now these unions also want a 35,000 rupee hike,” he said.
Dr. Aluthge said that there were many grades and categories in the state sector.
“When the salaries of Supreme Court judges are increased, the office assistants do not demand a similar salary hike,” he said.
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
Latest News
Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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