Business

Labour Dept. insists on strong employee – employer relationships for industrial peace

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/18

by Sanath Nanayakkare

In the past, Inspectors of the Labour Department visiting and checking business establishments was perceived as a ‘raid’, and now it’s time to have a break in this perception and promote mutual understanding between employers and employees over the direction industrial relations should go beyond the existing labour laws, the Labour Department said on Tuesday.

It is worth thinking about the combined contribution of both employers and employees because there is a lot of rationale for developing good industrial relations and creating a great work place to significantly boost employees’ job prospects and employers’ earning prospects, they said.

W.P. Nimal Weerasinghe, Labour Officer, Human Resources Development Division of the Department of Labour made these comment on Tuesday while speaking at an awareness session titled ‘Social Dialogue and Workplace Cooperation’, organised by the Chamber Academy of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

“Human resource is an asset and not a liability for any institution and both employers and employees should have positive attitudes towards each other to promote industrial peace and create a win-win situation for both parties without letting the work force to become a headache for the institution,” he said.

Addressing the audience consisting of managers of various businesses represented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the expert in labour relations and resolving labour disputes further said:

“There shouldn’t be a disconnect between the employers and employees. However, at times when workers fight for their rights, they might decide to go on strike. And employers might decide to shut the institution to prevent strikes from happening in the premises. Such a situation could lead to a stoppage of production or service and cause negative results for both employers and employees.”

“Frederick Taylor (1856 -1915) best known for his principles of scientific management, said,” Workers are naturally lazy, due to a range of reasons of being unmotivated and finding work boring. So assign them work, guide, help, and encourage and get them to do the job.”

“In contrast, Elton Mayo (1880 – 1949) industrial researcher and organisational theorist said,” Managers can increase productivity by placing trust in the employees to work independently with the least supervision. I’d like to ask as managers how do you view these two points of view? If you give workers the freedom, will they do the work as expected of them? Do they have to be consistently managed and supervised? Managers should let conscientious workers work independently and indifferent workers to work under supervision. But you might have a problem if you try to supervise conscientious workers and let indifferent workers to work independently. In this context, the Labour Department would like to put the more neutral Japanese 5S Methodology in between these two theories. According to Japanese 5S, a good manager is invisible because he or she is not only leading but also working with their team to achieve the set goals and targets. So, you must have the ability to distinguish these characteristics in the work place and produce the best results for your employers, employees and your organisation. Managers have to play a hybrid role of a decision maker and an employee. So you need to strike the right balance between these very difficult dynamics. If you can achieve that, your labour force won’t turn out to be a headache, instead they will become a real asset to your organisation.”

G. W. N. Viraji, Labour Commissioner said that both employees and employers must not be swayed by emotions when they deal with an industrial issue.

“You need to look at each other’s perspective with empathy. You need to listen to each other and cooperate to resolve the issues together and move forward.”

She highlighted the fact that both parties should honestly consider who has actually caused the problem on the basis that ‘sometimes you are the problem’ and own up to your commitments and accountabilities without placing the blame on the other.”

P.A.S.C Pathiraja, Assistant Commissioner of Labour also made a presentation at the webinar and cleared many concerns of the participants about industrial issues at the Q and A.

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Business

Commercial Bank scales up ADB credit line to empower Jaffna SMEs

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/28

Thilina Walpola

Empowering Regional Enterprise: ADB Country Director Shannon Cowlin (right), T. Thivaharan, Manager of Commercial Bank’s Manipay Branch (center), and P. Prabakaran, Proprietor of New V.S.P. Gingelly Oil (left),at the production facility in Sandilipay, Jaffna (415 km north of Colombo). The visit highlighted how targeted ADB-backed financing helps local small and medium-sized enterprises overcome financing barriers, upgrade operations, and stimulate employment across regional supply chains.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Continuing its mission to drive inclusive economic recovery and empower Sri Lanka’s grassroots business sector, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has actively accelerated the disbursement of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Finance Project line of credit.

As Sri Lanka’s premier private sector lender, Commercial Bank drives regional development by bridging financial gaps outside the Western Province. Jaffna and the broader Northern Province remain pivotal focus areas due to their immense potential for industrial regeneration, vibrant agricultural output, and entrepreneurial resilience in the post-crisis economic landscape.

Directing targeted, affordable financing enables local enterprises to overcome historical financing barriers, expand production capacity, and stimulate employment across regional supply chains.

Quality at the Source: ADB Country Director Shannon Cowlin inspects a bottle of premium sesame oil at the New V.S.P. Gingelly Oil factory floor in Jaffna. Working capital facilities extended through Commercial Bank under the ADB line of credit enable manufacturers like Harish Industries to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka while securing long-term economic resilience.

The dedicated credit scheme offers affordable interest rates to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rebound from recent macroeconomic shocks, maintain employment stability, and build long-term sustainability. Designed to target underserved segments, the funding line prioritizes viable enterprises located outside the Colombo district, women-owned and women-led businesses, and ventures incorporating strong climate finance components. Eligible sectors span manufacturing, agriculture, animal husbandry, technology, tourism, and direct export industries.

A standout beneficiary showcasing the transformative impact of this regional focus is Harish Industries, a flourishing manufacturing firm located within the purview of Commercial Bank’s Manipay branch in Jaffna. Owned and operated by proprietor Ponnuchamy Prabakaran, Harish Industries manufactures premium sesame oil under the popular brand name “New VSP Gingelly Oil”.

The working capital facility extended by the line of credit to Harish Industries helped to cater to short-term liquidity needs, ease out cash flow pressure, and operate the business in a sustainable manner.

Additionally, this financial backing helped create more employment opportunities, strengthen its supply chain, and expand business operations to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka.

Business

A tech-savvy new generation stepping in to reinvent Sri Lankan hospitality

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/28

Thilina Walpola

When the final twelve champions took the stage for their honours, the event shifted from a mere ceremony into a profound symbol of tomorrow

The grand halls of the Taj Samudra in Colombo buzzed with a distinct energy on the morning of September 25, 2026, as leaders gathered for the National Celebration of World Tourism Day.

Yet, beneath the formal discussions on digital agendas and artificial intelligence, a deeper, more vibrant narrative was quietly unfolding. This was not merely a story of algorithms and automated efficiency; it was a human story – a tale of Sri Lanka’s youth stepping forward to redesign the future of hospitality.

For generations, Sri Lanka’s allure has been rooted in its timeless landscapes, golden shores, and the legendary warmth of its people. But as global travel evolves, a new generation of tech-savvy local innovators is finding ways to weave cutting-edge technology into the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan culture. This shift took center stage during the Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026, held under the theme “AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism”.

Out of 52 competitive applications spanning tertiary and commercial levels, young minds proved that technology and tradition can go hand in hand.

The twenty-five shortlisted teams stood before expert panels to defend visions that bridge the gap between ancient heritage and modern data intelligence.

Behind every submitted AI solution was a young entrepreneur eager to protect local destinations, enhance visitor experiences, and elevate service delivery.

When the twelve winners were finally honoured, the celebration transformed into something much greater than an awards ceremony.

It served as a powerful reminder that the true engine of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is its youth. Armed with code, creativity, and a profound love for their country, these young visionaries are ensuring that when travelers explore Sri Lanka, they do not just witness the future – they feel the heartbeat of a new, digitally empowered era of hospitality.

Business

IRD enforces mandatory TIN certificate submission for specified transactions starting November 01

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/28

Thilina Walpola

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced a sweeping regulatory shift, confirming that the submission of a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will become mandatory for a wide range of essential financial, commercial, and property transactions starting November 1, 2026.

The decisive directive, enforced under the legal framework of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, applies directly to individuals specified under Section 102(3) of the principal Inland Revenue Act.

Under the new mandate, relevant authorities and corporate entities across the island have been instructed to withhold processing or completion of key procedures unless applicants present a verified TIN document. The specified transactions include:

Financial Services: Opening any account at a bank or financial institution, and obtaining a credit card.

Property and Construction: Obtaining approval for building plans, and registering land or titles to land.

Automotive Administration: Registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle license.

Commercial Activity: Registering a new business.

Corporate Transfers: Transferring shares of a company incorporated in Sri Lanka—a requirement binding on both the transferor and the transferee.

The IRD has reiterated that acquiring a TIN remains a statutory obligation for all resident individuals who were aged 18 or older as of December 31, 2023, as well as those who attain the age of 18 on or after January 1, 2024, upon reaching that milestone. Officials handling the designated services have been sternly directed to verify compliance before moving forward with any customer requests.

To streamline the transition and prevent administrative bottlenecks, the department has encouraged members of the public who have not yet secured their numbers to register promptly via the official IRD e-Services platform. Furthermore, recognizing potential logistical hurdles, the IRD noted that a printout of the online TIN verification result—clearly displaying the applicant’s National Identity Card (NIC) number and TIN—will be accepted as a valid alternative to the official certificate.

As the November 1 deadline approaches, citizens are urged to secure their documentation beforehand to ensure uninterrupted access to essential public, financial, and legal services.