News
Govt. issues circular to send State workers for foreign employment
The Government last Thursday issued the circular to allow State sector workers to take up overseas employment opportunities to boost foreign inflows.On 13 June, the Cabinet of Ministers cleared to enable public officers to take no-pay leave without any hindrance to seniority, pension, or other conditions.
The Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ministry said the provisions of this circular will be effective from Thursday. A State sector employee is entitled to a maximum of five years of no-pay leave during his tenure for study or foreign employment. However, the majority of public sector workers showed no interest in obtaining such leave due to the non-inclusion of that period in the calculation of pensions, impact on seniority, and other conditions.Under the new provisions, it has been decided to grant no-pay leave for public sector officers for them to be here or overseas under special provisions, deviating from the provisions existing in the Establishments Code that allow no-pay leave.
The State workers are now able to obtain no-pay leave for a total period of five years, as the maximum period, to be able to make it applicable to their seniority and pension.To engage in employment in a foreign institution, the officer should obtain approval for no-pay leave to remain here or travel overseas using proper channels by submitting particulars of the jobs in which the officer expects to engage in a particular foreign country during the period of the availed no-pay leave and all other relevant details to the authority for getting their request approved.
In addition, public sector officers below the age of 35 can obtain no-pay leave for a maximum of one year to develop their IT skills, knowledge of the English language or any other language, or to complete a vocational training program at a recognised institution.Earlier this month, Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said a program has been introduced to generate foreign exchange with the intervention of the Ministry, and State employees will be granted the opportunity to leave for employment overseas.
In the first five month of this year workers remittances were down 53% to $ 1.33 billion. In May, workers’ remittances were $ 304 million, up from $ 249 million in April, but lower by 34% compared with $ 460.1 million a year ago.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota 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.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
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