<ul><li>Labour Ministry can intervene only in formal sector</li><li>Agriculture records highest losses, affecting 36,875 people</li><li>Govt preparing programme to assist those hit by livelihood losses</li></ul> More than 78,000 people have lost their livelihoods due to the dry weather conditions caused by El Niño, but the Labour Ministry says it has no mechanism to intervene as most of those affected are engaged in agriculture and other informal-sector activities.Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told The Daily Morning that there was currently no situation requiring intervention by the Labour Ministry, noting that its mandate allows it to intervene only in employment-related issues in the formal sector.He said people employed in the formal sector had not faced similar employment-related problems as a result of the prevailing conditions, although a significant number of people engaged in agriculture and other informal-sector activities had lost their livelihoods.“People working in the formal sector have not faced employment-related issues. But, people engaged in agricultural activities and other sectors in the informal sector have lost their livelihoods,” he said.Jayasinghe said the Government was already preparing a programme to assist those who had lost their livelihoods. However, he stressed that the Labour Ministry currently had no mechanism to intervene in livelihood losses in the informal sector.“There is no problematic situation to the extent that the Ministry needs to intervene. We can intervene if an employment issue arises in the formal sector, such as if factories and companies are closing down. At present, we don’t have a mechanism to intervene in the informal sector,” he said.The comments came after Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi told Parliament on 10 September that 78,368 people belonging to 25,037 families across seven Districts had lost their livelihoods as a result of the dry weather conditions caused by El Niño.The affected Districts are Monaragala, Badulla, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara and Anuradhapura, with livelihood losses reported among people engaged in fishing, agriculture, plantation work, self-employment, business and livestock farming.According to figures presented by Dr. Patabendi, agriculture recorded the highest number of livelihood losses, affecting 12,304 families comprising 36,875 people.The plantation sector was affected by losses among 2,333 families involving 7,889 people, while 2,107 fishing-sector families comprising 7,491 people were also affected.A further 1,769 families, involving 6,039 people, suffered livelihood losses through self-employment.The livestock sector recorded losses among 2,966 families involving 9,408 people, while 108 families comprising 369 people were affected in the business sector.Another 3,450 families, comprising 10,297 people, were categorised under other livelihood-related activities.

78,000 job losses due to El Niño: Informal sector has no Labour cover

Environmental activist Dr Ajantha Perera, one of the petitioners who obtained the Supreme Court ruling on compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, has questioned the total compensation received so far and how the funds have been handled, alleging that the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) had, in violation of applicable procedures, dealt directly with the relevant shipping company and its insurer and received money from them.Speaking to The Daily Morning, she said she had written to the Treasury Secretary seeking details of the compensation received for the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, but was directed to the Justice Ministry instead.“I wrote to the Treasury Secretary and I asked him how much we have received in total. Then, he seemed to be unable to give me an answer, and instead asked me to ask the Justice Ministry. But, the Ministry has nothing to do with it because the judgment says that the money that should come as compensation should be taken by the Treasury. It should be deposited with the Treasury,” she said.Dr Perera said information she had obtained from lawyers dealing with the matter indicated that only around Rs. 300 million had been deposited with the Treasury, adding that she was dissatisfied with the lack of information provided by the Treasury Secretary.“When I speak to lawyers, what they say is that only Rs. 300 million has been deposited. Unfortunately, the Treasury Secretary seems to think that this is a huge secret that he has to maintain. There should be no secrecy about this at all,” she said.She further claimed that MEPA had sought and obtained money directly from the shipping company through the vessel’s Protection and Indemnity (P&amp;I) Club insurer for various purposes during the legal proceedings, including payments connected to the collection of plastic pellets from the marine environment.“When the case was going on, MEPA was asking for money from the shipping company through the P&amp;I Club for various things. MEPA has been collecting money from them, for instance, by indicating that there was a plastic pellet collection. Then, the money should be given to fishermen,” Dr Perera said.She alleged that MEPA, as a State institution, should not have dealt directly with the company or its insurer in this manner, claiming that all compensation payments should have been handled through the Treasury.“A State institution can't do that. I also lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and requested that this be investigated. Now, there is an allegation by fishermen that they didn't receive money. This is a huge problem that we have. The only person who should deal with this is the Treasury Secretary. He should collect money and then give it to MEPA and other agencies. That's the normal way to work with finances,” she said.Multiple attempts to contact MEPA and Deputy Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources Minister Rathna Gamage proved futile.Dr Perera had previously lodged a complaint with CIABOC calling for an investigation into allegations concerning several State institutions and an alleged meeting between President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the X-Press Pearl insurer. The latter allegation was denied by the President’s Media Division.The X-Press Pearl caught fire off the coast of Colombo on 20 May 2021 and was engulfed in flames by 27 May before being declared a total loss. The vessel sank on 2 June 2021 while being towed to deeper waters after burning for 12 days.The disaster released hazardous chemicals and plastic pellets into the sea, causing extensive damage to Sri Lanka's marine environment, fishing communities and coastal ecosystems. It has since been described as Sri Lanka's worst marine ecological disaster.

X-Press Pearl compensation: Activist questions MEPA conduct 

Despite several railway trade unions (TUs) launching a 48-hour strike from midnight yesterday (17), all office trains were operating as usual, according to the Railways Department.The railway TUs commenced the strike over several demands, including the removal of the current Railways General Manager (GM).Railway Station Masters’ Association Chairperson Sumedha Somarathna said several trains had been cancelled on Wednesday even before the strike commenced, causing inconvenience to passengers.He claimed that such disruptions were among the reasons for the unions’ demand to remove the current GM.Somarathna alleged that the GM and executive officers were attempting to operate trains despite there being no proper programme to increase railway revenue or provide the facilities required by passengers.He said the majority of railway Station Masters had joined the strike, while several Station Masters supportive of the Government were attempting to disrupt the TU action and take steps to retain the GM.Somarathna stressed that the strike was not politically motivated, but was aimed at restoring the Railways Department.Several train services were also cancelled on Wednesday afternoon, before the strike officially began. The cancellations inconvenienced passengers who arrived at the Colombo Fort Railway Station, with several passengers expressing their views over the situation.

Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Office trains run as usual: Railways Dept

<ul><li>Only 50% of hypertension patients, 25% of diabetics under proper control</li><li>Rs 8,035 m cardiac complex to provide advanced treatment in Anuradhapura</li></ul> Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of all deaths in Sri Lanka, with hypertension and diabetes emerging as major health challenges, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.Speaking at the commencement of construction of a new cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery complex at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital (TH) on Wednesday (16), Dr. Jasinghe said only around 50% of people with high blood pressure (HBP) were effectively controlling the condition, while only around 25% of diabetic patients were under proper control.He warned that the two interrelated conditions could result in serious complications, with myocardial infarction, or heart attacks, becoming a leading consequence.“This has now become a major problem in society,” Dr. Jasinghe said, describing the control of the diseases as one of the biggest challenges facing the health sector.He said Sri Lanka’s health system needed to adapt to changes in the country’s demographic structure and disease patterns while expanding modern medical facilities.Dr. Jasinghe said the Government’s health-sector programme was being implemented under three main components – Arogya, Cluster Systems and High-End Care Institutions – aimed at meeting the changing requirements of the health system.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also addressed the event, said the Government had identified three key areas for strengthening healthcare: bringing free healthcare services closer to the people, introducing advanced medical equipment and practices, and establishing a systematic management system.The eight-storey cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery complex is being constructed at a cost of Rs 3,545 million with loan assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project, which is expected to be completed within 18 months, will include coronary care and intensive care units, catheterisation laboratories, X-ray and electrocardiogram facilities, specialised clinics, wards, laboratories, an auditorium and a library.A total of Rs 8,035 million has been allocated for the project, including Rs 3,545 million for construction and Rs 4,490 million for equipment.The President said nearly Rs 19 billion worth of projects were planned to commence at the Anuradhapura TH in 2027 and 2028, while projects worth Rs 9.7 billion were already underway.He stressed that delays in completing public projects had resulted in significant financial losses, as costs increased while the public was also deprived of the intended services.The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare human resources, stating that 3,000 doctors were being recruited for internship training during August, September and October.He said 3,978 nurses had been recruited, with a further 2,820 to be recruited by 31 October, while 4,869 student nurses had entered training and another 3,000 were to be recruited by January 2027.Recruitment was also underway for health assistants, para-medical and allied health services as part of the Government’s broader effort to expand the State healthcare workforce.

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

<ul><li>Academics warn of prolonged crisis in university system</li></ul>The Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) said yesterday (17) that lengthy discussions with Prime Minister and Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya had failed to produce solutions to several pressing issues affecting the university system.The discussion, held at the Education Ministry in Isurupaya, Battaramulla, continued until around 10 p.m., with university academics from across the country taking part amid what FUTA described as the urgency of resolving the crisis.Speaking to the media after the meeting, FUTA President Prof. Ruchika Fernando said the discussions focused particularly on the admission of new students, the extended period students spend in universities and the shortage of academic staff.“Regarding the admission of new students, the time that students spend in universities and the shortage of academic staff, we paid greater attention to these issues. But, no solution was reached during the discussions,” he said.Prof. Fernando said FUTA had previously discussed the issues with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following which the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) and Directors had prepared proposals aimed at expediting student admissions.He said FUTA had also held discussions with the Prime Minister in April, but was informed during Wednesday's meeting that the proposals had still not reached the Presidential Secretariat.“We were surprised to learn that the proposals we had been waiting for action on for nearly a year had still not reached the relevant authorities,” Prof. Fernando said.FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe said academics had participated in the lengthy meeting due to the urgency of finding solutions to the problems confronting the university system.He alleged that the Government did not appear to share the same level of urgency in addressing the issues.“The Government cannot talk about education because it does not have the necessary interest in it,” Illangasinghe said, adding that FUTA would decide on its future course of action in response to the situation.Meanwhile, Dr Amarasuriya stressed that universities must take measures to ensure that students subjected to ragging have confidence in investigations into such incidents.The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Higher Education under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held at Parliament under her chairmanship.The meeting also examined vacancies in the higher education sector, particularly at universities. Dr Amarasuriya questioned university Vice-Chancellors over the failure to fill vacancies for which appointments had already been approved by the Higher Education Ministry.She instructed officials to take measures to fill the approved vacancies expeditiously and stressed that investigations into ragging incidents must be efficient and effective, enabling relief to be provided to affected students without delay.

FUTA talks end without solution

<h3> </h3><h3>Former Chairperson of the National Transport Commission (NTC), Renuka Perera, was remanded until 29 September by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (17) over allegations of corruption relating to the issuance of passenger transport permits.</h3>Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama issued the remand order after considering submissions made by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and defence lawyers.Perera was arrested by CIABOC yesterday over allegations that he unlawfully issued 56 passenger transport service permits for buses to operate on the Southern Expressway during his tenure as NTC Chairperson.According to the allegations, the permits were issued outside the legally prescribed procedures and without requiring the annual fees to be paid in a single payment.CIABOC alleges that the actions caused a loss to the Government while providing an unlawful benefit to an external party.The alleged offences are said to have been committed in violation of the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, as well as recommendations contained in a Cabinet of Ministers decision dated 19 September 2014.Perera, a senior member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest.He currently serves as the Administrative Secretary of the SLPP and has previously served as Chairperson of MILCO, the State-owned dairy producer and marketer.The case will next be taken up on 29 September.

Renuka Perera remanded over NTC permits

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticised the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, alleging that it would weaken Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and undermine the independence of the Judiciary.Speaking at a fundraising event in Wattala aimed at constructing houses for 100 families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, Premadasa alleged that the Government was seeking to weaken the three main pillars of democracy – the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – through the proposed Amendment.He alleged that the Government was attempting to undermine the independence of the Judiciary and turn it into a “servant” of the Executive, while paving the way for a one-party authoritarian system.Premadasa said such a move towards authoritarian rule must be defeated to safeguard the political and social freedoms of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people.Drawing parallels between the proposed constitutional changes and the devastation caused by Ditwah, he described the proposed 22nd Amendment as a major threat to democracy.Meanwhile, Premadasa also called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s disaster management mechanism, which he said had become outdated.He stressed the need for a new programme to minimise the potential impact of disasters on key sectors, including hydropower generation.According to Premadasa, lessons from past disasters, including the tsunami and Ditwah, should be incorporated into national disaster preparedness plans.He said implementing measures before disasters occur should be among the key responsibilities of the President and the Government, rather than relying primarily on responses after disasters strike.The Opposition Leader made the remarks while highlighting the need to support families affected by Ditwah, with the Wattala event organised to raise funds for the construction of houses for 100 affected families.

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah 

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided that the Inland Revenue Department's decision to impose an Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) on judges, under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, is valid before the law. The SC reached this decision while dismissing appeals filed by representatives of the High Court (HC) Judges’ Association, the Judicial Service Association and the Association of Judicial Officers of Labour Tribunals representing District Judges, Magistrates, Additional Magistrates and Chairpersons of Labour Tribunals, challenging the decision. Accordingly, the Court ruled that judicial officers including HC Judges, District Judges and Magistrates are liable to pay income tax on their remuneration and that the authorities are entitled to deduct APIT from that remuneration.

SC deems APIT valid on judges 

An office assistant attached to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court (MC) has been arrested by investigating officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs 500 to provide a copy of a Court judgement. The arrest was made following an investigation launched based on information received by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau. The suspect had allegedly requested the bribe on 30 June to provide a copy of the judgement in a case involving a financial dispute that had been settled at the Court. Acting on the information received, CIABOC officers arrested the suspect at around 3.35 p.m. on Wednesday (16) within the premises of the Court. The suspect was due to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

78,000 job losses due to El Niño: Informal sector has no Lab ...

X-Press Pearl compensation: Activist questions MEPA conduct

X-Press Pearl compensation: Ac ...

Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Office trains run as usual: Railways Dept

Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Offi ...

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

FUTA talks end without solution

FUTA talks end without solutio ...

Renuka Perera remanded over NTC permits

Renuka Perera remanded over NT ...

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah

SC deems APIT valid on judges

SC deems APIT valid on judges

For providing judgement copy: Fort MC office asst. nabbed for Rs 500 ...

For providing judgement copy: ...

X-Press Pearl compensation: Activist questions MEPA conduct

X-Press Pearl compensation: Ac ...

Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Office trains run as usual: Railways Dept

Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Offi ...

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

FUTA talks end without solution

FUTA talks end without solutio ...

Renuka Perera remanded over NTC permits

Renuka Perera remanded over NT ...

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah

SC deems APIT valid on judges

SC deems APIT valid on judges

For providing judgement copy: Fort MC office asst. nabbed for Rs 500 ...

For providing judgement copy: ...

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X-Press Pearl compensation: Activist questions MEPA conduct

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Despite TUs 48-hr strike: Office trains run as usual: Railways Dept

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

NCDs behind 80% of deaths

FUTA talks end without solution

FUTA talks end without solutio ...

Renuka Perera remanded over NTC permits

Renuka Perera remanded over NT ...

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah

Sajith compares 22A to Ditwah