News

GMOA: Teachers’ pay hike, changes in health sector will cause havoc

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/19

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The recent salary increase granted to teachers, in violation of the national salaries and wages policy as well as far-reaching changes proposed in the health sector, would cause a catastrophic situation, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) spokesman Dr. Prasad Colombage said.

Referring to the crippling trade union action resorted to by 18 health sector trade union grouping, alleging salary anomalies as a result of the increase granted to teachers, Dr. Colombage emphasised that the GMOA strongly advised against the move at the very beginning of the teachers’ strike.

The government owed an explanation whether the administration consulted the National Pay Commission (NPC) before the implementation of the new salary structure for teachers, Dr. Colombage said. The NPC should set the record straight, the GMOA official said, urging the government to re-examine the entire salary structure before the situation deteriorated any further.

“The country is experiencing such a difficult period due to the economic crisis in the wake of the continuing Covid-19 epidemic, and it cannot stomach further shocks”, Dr. Colombage said.

The GMOA official questioned the responsibility on the part of both political leadership and the NPC to address the issue at hand rationally. One-time Secretary to the Labour Ministry Upali Wijayaweera heads the NPC.

The NPC consists of Mrs. Chandrani Senaratne, Gotabhaya Jayaratne, Mrs. Sujatha Cooray, Dr. Madura Wehalle, M.S.D. Ranasiri, Dr. Ananda Hapugoda, Sanjeewa Somaratne, Ajith Nayanakantha, Dr. Ravi Liyanage, Sanath Ediriweera, Prof. Ranjith Senarathna, Eng R.M. Amarasekara, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Siri Ranaweera, and W.H. Piyadasa.

Dr. Colombage stressed that if the NPC remained silent when politicians caused mayhem, the outfit should be held accountable for the deterioration caused. Appointed in terms of Article 33 of the Constitution, the NPC is responsible for the national salaries and wages policy including monetary remuneration and various other non-monetary facilities of the Public Services. Provincial Public Service and Armed Services and Special Institutions the salaries of whose staff are met by the Consolidated Fund, State Corporations and Statutory Boards, Government-owned Companies, State Enterprises, State Banks including Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other Financial institutions and all spheres of the Public Service as a whole including all regulatory institutions come within the purview of the NPC.

Responding to another query, Dr. Colombage expressed concern that the current agenda of those at the helm of political power and some trade unions seemed aimed at doing away with the existing system. In other words, they appeared to be working in unison to undermine the very basis of the NPC, Dr. Colombage said. Perhaps all political parties represented in Parliament and public sector trade unions should explain their stand on salary issues, he said.

The real issue was almost all those who threw their weight behind the teachers’ strike were now exploiting the situation. Various other sectors would soon join the campaign, Dr. Colombage said, adding that ‘’the government seemed either ignorant of the danger or allowing further deterioration of the public sector with the ulterior motive of privatizing health services.

Dr. Colombage insisted that the GMOA was not in any way for resolving salary anomalies of teachers or any other profession in any ad hoc manner. However, the NPC maintained at the taxpayers’ expense should have been responsible for managing the overall process, Dr. Colombage said. Unfortunately, the politicians who wanted to be in the driving seat at the expense of the NPC had ruined the setup, the spokesman for the powerful doctors’ union said.

“Irreparable damage has been caused to the national salary and wages policy. It wouldn’t be an easy task to take damage control measures,” he said.

Commenting on the proposed token strike on Monday (21) meant to highlight the crisis caused by the government by acting contrary to the national policy as regards salaries and wages, Dr. Colombage urged the ruling coalition to address the issue at hand or face the consequences. Another matter of serious concern is the push for accommodation of nurses in the proposed University outside the Z score, Dr. Colombage said. That would create an unprecedented crisis as the process would be automatically outside the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC) once the requirement for Z score was done away with, the GMOA spokesperson said.

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Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity – PM

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarsooriya in her message on International Women’s Day 2026 says that the governments goal is to build a Thriving Nation where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity.

The PM’s message:

“I extend my greetings to all sisters and daughters in Sri Lanka and around the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day.This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 07 March 2026, valid for 08 March 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Lanka tea industry may lose $ 10-15 mn per week from ME war

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/8

Thilina Walpola

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has adversely impacted on the Sri Lankan tea industry as the exporters are unable to supply tea to the region. The exporters estimate the revenue loss at about $ 10-15 million per week. The exporters have orders in hand for supply of tea and it is the logistical issues and war risk preventing them fulfilling such orders, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) said in a statement.

“In order to mitigate the impact on the industry, the tea industry has jointly requested the government to support it in addressing the cash flow issue and consider absorbing a part of the additional freight and insurance charges. It has also requested government intervention to obtain the balance payment of about $ 50 million due on tea shipments already made to Iran under the barter deal,” TEA said on Friday.

The statement said approximately 52% of Sri Lanka’s tea exports reach the affected region mainly coming from the low grown area of the country dominated by tea smallholder farmers. According to 2025 tea export statistics, about 125 million kilograms of Ceylon tea were exported to the Middle East, with an estimated value of USD 750 million. The major importing countries of Ceylon Tea in the region include Iraq, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Though Libya and Turkey can be reached via Africa, the exorbitant freight charges have prevented the buyers in those countries from importing tea at the moment.

The supply routes to Middle East countries go via Strait of Hormuz and Red sea Suez Canal. Although there is no blockade on Suez Canal, due to the war risk both channels are currently not used by the major shipping lines. The tea exports to the region have almost come to a standstill due to the following reasons:

=All major shipping lines suspended their services to the region immediately after the outbreak of the conflict.

=Several seaports in the region were temporarily closed during the initial stages.

= Although a few shipping lines resumed limited operations from March 4, freight charges have

increased significantly by approximately USD 1,800 for a 20’ container and USD 3,000 for a 40’ container.

= Existing insurance coverage obtained by exporters is no longer valid.

=There is a lack of regular and scheduled vessels operating from Colombo to Middle Eastern destinations.

The tea exporters are experiencing serious cash flow constraints, as payments for shipments already

dispatched have been delayed due to the unsettled situation in the region. This has restricted exporters’

buying capacity and that was evident at this week’s tea auction, where overall prices declined by about Rs. 50/ per kg while low grown tea prices declined by about Rs. 75/ per kg.

If the situation continues for few more weeks it will have a serious impact on the tea auction as buyers may curtail the purchase of tea if the outward movements are restricted. This could directly impact on the income of the tea smallholder farmers.

In January 2026, the country earned $ 121.8 million from tea exports compared to $ 112.7 million in January 2025 (a 5% increase). The figures for February 2026 are not yet available but should be either similar to last year or higher. The disruption to tea exports in March will certainly affect the volume and value of the exports though the exact amounts cannot be estimated at this point.

According to the available data Sri Lanka has settled about 95% of its debt to Iran by supplying tea to Iran under the Tea for Oil mechanism. Even if the military conflict comes to an end, Sri Lanka will find it difficult to continue to supply tea to Iran unless a new mechanism is introduced. Under the prevailing US sanctions on Iran, the exporters may not be able to supply tea to Iran outside the barter system. Iran purchases about 11 million kg of tea from Sri Lanka annually under the barter deal.

The situation was discussed with the Minister of Plantation & Community Infrastructure at a meeting held on March 4, 2026.