News
Health unions issue ultimatum to govt. to resolve salary anomaly by end of month
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Health workers would resort to trade union action on Thursday (01) against the government decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance only for doctors. They belong to 72 trade unions.
The unions previously suspended their strike and gave the government time until 31 January to redress their grievances.
President of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary to Medicine, Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island yesterday (30) that two weeks back they had asked State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe and Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana to increase their salaries, using the same formula they had adopted to increase the salaries of doctors.
“If this formula is used, we won’t get as much as doctors. However, this would be the best way to avoid unnecessary squabbling. The Ministers agreed with us. However, they told us they could not do anything until President Ranil Wickremesinghe returned to Sri Lanka. “It is obvious that the President runs the country the way he wants, and that ministers are his players,” Kumudesh said.
National Organizer of the Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA), Sudath Jayasiri said most categories of health workers faced continuous discrimination because the government granted relief to doctors.
Public Service United Nurses’ Union Chief Secretary H.M.S Mediwatte said they would not join the trade union action. The government wanted to pit health workers against one another, he said.
The Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri LankaDewi Gustina Tobing, met Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Parliament of Sri Lanka to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, tourism, technology, and education, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to fostering diplomatic and economic ties for mutual benefit.
A key area of focus was expanding tourism exchanges, including religious tourism, which holds significant potential for growth.
The two delegations also explored opportunities in trade, particularly the importation of palm oil and the introduction of organic liquid fertilizers to support Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.
Collaboration in the IT industry was highlighted as another promising area of partnership, alongside discussions on integrating electric vehicles into Sri Lanka’s public transport system.
The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mrs. Sagarika Boghawatta, included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Indonesian delegation was represented by Deputy Ambassador . Fiki Oktanioand Minister Counsellor Mrs. Lailal K. Yuniarti.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Matara Magistrate’s Court today [20], ordered that former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshabandu Tennakoon be further remanded until April 03..
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has announced that the upcoming Local Authorities Poll will be held on Tuesday 06th May 2025
The acceptance of nominations for the poll concluded at 12.00 noon today (20).
Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka calls on PM
Former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon further remanded until April 03.
Local Authorities poll on 6th May
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