News
SJB asks govt. to allow female state employees to work from home
The SJB has called on the government to amend existing laws to enable female employees in the public sector to work from home, arguing that such a move would significantly boost women’s participation in the national economy.
Participating in the debate on regulations under the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act in Parliament last Friday, SJB Kandy District MP Chaimndranee Kiriella said last week the concept of working from home had been successfully introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be practised by many private sector institutions. However, she pointed out that public sector employees, particularly women, are currently unable to avail themselves of this facility.
“If public sector female workers are allowed to work from home, it would be a great relief for them and would undoubtedly increase their contribution to the national economy,” MP Kiriella said. She said that although women account for 51 percent of Sri Lanka’s population, their contribution to the national economy stands at only 34 percent, according to the latest statistics. Enabling flexible work arrangements, she said, would be a positive step towards accelerating economic growth.
MP Kiriella welcomed the regulation under debate to permit night work shifts for female workers in the tourism sector, describing it as a progressive move by the Government. She also expressed satisfaction over the Government’s assurance that it would proceed with the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), along with its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206). These instruments, she said, clearly affirm the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence.
Meanwhile, the SJB MP urged Government members, particularly female parliamentarians, to take cognisance of the serious social impact arising from the recent removal of female street vendors from pavements in Kandy. While acknowledging that the initiative to clear pavements was aimed at enhancing the city’s appearance in line with its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, she said the move had adversely affected the livelihoods of many women.
“Kandy is frequented by a large number of foreign tourists throughout the year. Many women earned their living by selling fruits, vegetables and handicrafts to visitors,” MP Kiriella said, noting that the vendors now had no place to continue their trade.
She called on the Government to urgently address the issue and provide these women with suitable alternative locations to conduct their businesses. Drawing comparisons with cities such as Delhi, which hosts three World Heritage sites alongside vibrant market areas like Chandni Chowk, MP Kiriella said heritage conservation and livelihoods could coexist if properly planned.
“The Government must think seriously about this and act swiftly to rescue these women from their present plight,” she said.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the representatives of the European External Action Service [EEAS] on Tuesdqy [10 th February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening and deepening the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union, noting the role of the European Union as a key development and economic partner.
The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the European Union to Sri Lanka in response to the recent cyclone, highlighting the EU’s continued solidarity and support during times of need.
Attention was drawn to the need to expand economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of undertaking necessary legislative and policy reforms to facilitate enhanced economic engagement, trade, and investment.
The delegation was briefed on the ongoing initiatives and reforms being implemented by the new Government aimed at strengthening economic stability, governance, and creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and international cooperation.
The meeting was attended by the Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, EU co-chair of the Joint Commission, Ms. Paola Pampaloni; EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation Ms. Carmen Moreno and the representatives of European External Action Services and Delegation of the European Union, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, Tourism Sri Lanka.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank for Sri Lanka Ms Shannon Cowlin and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday [0th of February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB Bank’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.
The Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the importance of such support in mitigating the immediate impacts of natural disasters.
The ADB delegation reiterated its readiness to further assist Sri Lanka during the post-cyclone recovery phase, including rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, and emphasized its commitment to the supporting the education sector.
The meeting was attended by OIC / Deputy Director General, SARD Ms. Sona Shrestha, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova Country Operations Head of ADB Sri Lanka Mission Resident, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General of the External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Samantha Bandara, Director for ADB Division in External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Ranjith Gurusinghe.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on the 09th of February at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.
The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations have already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.
During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.
Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.
The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.
The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and the officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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