News
State employees may be able to work from home every Friday
By Chaminda Silva
Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday said that plans were underway to enable the public servants to work from home on Friday.Speaking to the media during a ceremony held at the Kethumathi Vihara in Madiwela yesterday to distribute Mee plants to mark the World Environment Day, the Minister said that most probably state employees would be able to work from home on Friday. “The number of days for the public servants to report to their workplace would be brought down to four. This new method would be introduced with Cabinet approval,” the minister said.He said that the change would be introduced in view of the prevailing financial and fuel crisis in the country.
He also said the approval soon would be granted for a five-year no-pay leave plan for public servants who wish to go abroad for work or any other purpose. Minister Gunawardena said that public servants would get back their seniority and grades at the end of the five years with all benefits after completing the no-pay leave period.That would give incentives to public servants to go abroad for employment. Therefore, this programme would offer many benefits to public servants, the Minister said.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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