President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the trade union actions by healthcare professionals cannot be justified, considering that the largest salary increase in history granted by a government without any demands or pressure from professional associations has already been implemented.

The President made these remarks during a meeting held on Wednesday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Public Services United Nurses Union (PSUNU).

President Anura Kumara Disanayake highlighted that despite operating within a constrained economic framework, the government has prioritized increasing the basic salaries of public sector employees in this year’s budget. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the public service, attract skilled professionals, and ensure the sustainability of the sector.

The President stated that salaries have been increased under six key categories in the budget. These include a minimum increase of Rs. 15,000 in the basic salary, an increment in overtime and holiday allowances, an 80% increase in salary increments, an upward revision of pension benefits in line with the revised total salary, and an increase in the taxable income threshold.

Officials from the PSUNU expressed their appreciation for the salary increments, highlighting that they have been well received by a significant portion of the public sector workforce. They also brought to the President’s attention the existing challenges within the nursing profession and requested prompt solutions to address these issues.

The meeting was attended by the Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Chief Sanganayaka of Western Province, the Chairman of PSUNU Most Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake along with several officials from the PSUNU.

The Supreme Court yesterday (19) dismissed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s plea for restoration of his security contingent, consisting of military personnel, including commandos. The SC bench comprising Preethi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhana dismissed the petition without taking it up for hearing.

The former President, in a rights petition, challenged the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s decision to reduce his security contingent to 60 personnel. The war-winning President alleged that the reduction had been done without proper evaluation.

The SC took up the case on February 6 and reconvened yesterday to review the petition.

Former Minister and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry appeared for the former President who filed the case on January 24.

Members of the Cabinet were named as respondents.

The former President alleged that his fundamental rights had been violated by depriving him of security provided by the military.

Rajapaksa, who played a key role in ending the country’s nearly three-decade-long war, expressed concerns about ongoing threats to his life, including potential terrorist threats.

The former President requested the Court to determine that his fundamental human rights were violated by the arbitrary reduction of his security contingent.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19) morning, was remanded till today (20).

Investigations, however, would continue to find out who had helped him evade arrest, sources said.

Tennakoon evaded arrest since February 28 when the Matara Magistrate ordered police to arrest the IGP and eight policemen attached to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD).

They had been wanted in connection with a firearms attack carried out on the Q 15 Hotel, situated at Weligama, Matara, on Dec. 31, 2023.

Deshabandu surrendered within 48 hours after the Court of Appeal dismissed his bid to prevent police executing the arrest order.