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SJB asks govt. to allow female state employees to work from home

Published

4 months ago

2026/01/12

MP Kiriella

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.

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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/27

Priyan

A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

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.

News

Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.