The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has instructed officials to establish a legal framework for the Rs. 200 daily attendance allowance granted by the Government to estate workers.

Clarifying matters at length, the Chairman of the Committee emphasized that the Committee has no objection to increasing the wages of estate workers. However, he stated that the legal basis of the mechanism used to make this payment must be discussed. 

It was pointed out that the payment is currently being made under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into with private plantation companies, without being gazetted, and that such an arrangement could be terminated at any time. Officials further noted that the Rs. 200 allowance does not qualify for contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

Officials informed the Committee that the MoU has been entered into with private plantation companies for a period of three years, and that once this period ends, a policy decision would be required if the Government intends to continue the payments.

The Committee Chair pointed out that it is inappropriate to utilize public funds to pay salaries in private institutions without proper financial discipline. Officials stated that the payment is being made as it has been approved by Parliament under the 2026 Budget.

According to the approved budget estimates, the allocation for this payment is categorized as a “development subsidy.” As development subsidies are generally intended to support increased production, the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury (DST) suggested that the payment would be more appropriately termed a “production incentive.” However, it was observed that neither the payments already made for January nor the relevant MoUs specify such a requirement in practice. 

The Committee also questioned whether excluding the Rs. 200 daily allowance from Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) calculations is in compliance with the relevant laws. When asked whether the Attorney General’s advice had been sought regarding the MoUs and related matters, officials stated that such advice had not been obtained.

Accordingly, the Committee emphasized that these problematic areas must be rectified and that a proper legal basis should be established for the payment.

The matter was discussed when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament last week (17 Feb) under the chairmanship of MP Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera and MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Alahakoon, M.K.M. Aslam, Chitral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Nimal Palihena, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi. (Newswire)

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The Rs. 10,000 allowance provided by the President’s Fund for schoolchildren affected by Cyclone Ditwah has now commenced, the President’s Office announced today.

All relevant financial allocations have been directed to the District Secretariats, and every student who received the Rs. 15,000 allowance from the government will also be entitled to this benefit.

Accordingly, as stated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the presentation of the recent budget, each schoolchild affected by the disaster will receive a total financial assistance of Rs. 25,000. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Higher Education has announced an extra allowance of the Mahapola Scholarship for university students affected by the severe weather disaster.

According to the ministry, another monthly allowance, in addition to the allowance paid on November 28, will be provided to affected university students.

The Ministry of Higher Education said that the extra monthly allowance of the Mahapola Scholarship will be paid on December 5. (Newswire)

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The Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Association has raised concern over the discontinuation of the additional allowance granted to Ayurvedic doctors.

President of the Association, Dr. Upula Kondasinghe, says that Western medical doctors receive a higher additional allowance per month.

He further said that Ayurvedic doctors are granted allowances for 20 hours, and that was discontinued after the current government came into power.

During the tenure of Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana, a committee had approved a 120-hour allowance for Ayurvedic doctors. 

However, under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration, due to the prevailing economic crisis, it was decided to reduce this to an interim allowance of just 20 hours, he said. 

Dr. Upula Kondasinghe claims that the discontinuation of even the reduced allowance under the current government constitutes a grave injustice to Ayurvedic doctors.

He further points out that all top positions in the Ministry of Health, including the Minister, Deputy Minister, Secretary, and the Minister’s Private Secretary, are held by individuals representing Western medicine. 

As a result, Ayurvedic doctors face significant challenges in having their concerns addressed and resolved, he added. (Newswire)

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The “Artha” National Programme, a government initiative aimed at providing a monthly allowance to children residing in orphanages and childcare centres, was officially launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday. 

The inaugural ceremony of the national initiative to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 to children residing in orphanages and childcare centres, was held in Colombo.

The “Artha” National Programme, which was launched under the guidance of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, is implemented in partnership with the National Savings Bank. 

From the monthly allowances of Rs. 5,000 allocated by the government per child, Rs. 3,000 will be provided to the management of the care homes for the children’s daily needs, and the remaining Rs. 2,000 will be deposited into a bank account under the child’s name. This saving is intended for the child to use in the future for educational or professional purposes upon reintegration into society.

A budget of Rs. 01 billion has been allocated for this project through the government’s first budget, and through this, the Artha programme will provide Rs. 5,000 monthly to 9,191 children who have been abandoned, orphaned, or placed under institutional care through court orders, residing in 356 child care institutions across the country.

Addressing the event, PM Harini Amarasuriya said ensuring the current well-being as well as the future security of children living in these institutions is a responsibility of the government

“At times, for children, those who have lost the opportunity to live in their family homes under parental care for various reasons, children’s homes or similar care institutions become their final option. As a government, we are responsible for guaranteeing the education and monitoring the physical and mental well-being of these children. The state cannot neglect the responsibility of caring for every child, regardless of their circumstances. In that regard, the “Artha” initiative being launched today becomes a meaningful national project. The main objective and vision of the Artha” initiative is to safeguard the present and future of these children without harming their identity,” she said.

The Prime Minister further said, “The children in care homes should be treated as our very own children, and we must remember that they are equally entitled to all the rights and privileges afforded to other children. Ensuring those child rights is also a core goal of the “Artha” programme.” 

While stating that it is everyone’s responsibility to treat these children with dignity, the Prime Minister called upon the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, which holds the main responsibility for the protection and welfare of these children, to fulfil their role properly.

Addressing the gathering as the Minister in charge, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj stated that this is the first time in history that a government has implemented such a systematic plan to take responsibility for children living outside of their biological families. 

She emphasized that this is a humane responsibility and added that all citizens of the country have contributed to making this initiative a reality. (Newswire)

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A program to provide a living allowance for children and street children under institutional care or guardianship has received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Institutional care is provided to children who have lost their parents or guardians or are under the guardianship of one or both parents, where there is no protection or security in the homes they live in, and to orphaned and abandoned children in detention or child development centres.

By the end of 2024, it was reported that there were about 9,191 children in the residential care of 356 Child Development Centres that are maintained by the government, voluntary organisations, and non-governmental organisations throughout the country. 

A provision of Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated by the budget for 2025 to provide a Rs. 5,000 allowance monthly for the children or street children who are in institutional care or guardianship. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to appoint a monitoring committee chaired by the Ministry Secretary, comprising officers from other relevant institutions, for the necessary guidance and post-review activities to continue this program sustainably and effectively.

Cabinet approval has also been granted to provide the aforementioned allowance in the following manner. 

• Out of the Rs. 5,000 allowance, Rs. 3,000 goes to the development centre that detains the child or guardian for the education, health, and other welfare expenses that should be given by them through the National Savings Bank.
• The balance amount of Rs. 2000 should be deposited monthly in a savings account in the name of the child in the National Savings Bank for their future well-being. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has requested the authorities to grant the incentive allowance for unused leave of Parliament staff effective from this year.

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Premadasa said an agreement has been reached to continue the allowance scheme which has been in effect for the last 21 years.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that currently, the Parliament consists of good staff who ensure Parliamentary activities are carried out effectively and efficiently. 

Stating that the Speaker is vested with the power to execute the decision on the incentive allowance for unused leave, MP Premadasa urged it to be approved effective from this year. (Newswire)

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The Department of Pensions is set to distribute a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to all pensioners starting today (Oct 16), the President’s Office announced.

According to the PMD, funds have been credited to the bank accounts of pensioners receiving pensions from public and private banks today.

Those receiving pensions from post offices and sub-offices will be able to access their allowance from October 18, the PMD added. 

Looking into the delays in disbursing the proposed monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 for pensioners, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently directed that the necessary funds be released from the Treasury.

In line with these directives, the Treasury has allocated the required amount to the Department of Pensions, which will begin crediting the allowances to pensioners’ accounts today.

Although Public Administration Circular No. 02/2024, issued on 24 August 2024, called for the monthly interim allowance, funding had not been allocated. 

Following a Cabinet meeting on October 14, the Treasury Operations Department had allocated Rs. 2,021 million for 679,960 pensioners this month, as a result of which the head office of the Department of Pensions began disbursing this allowance starting today. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate MP Sajith Premadasa says a new national programme will be implemented aimed at eradicating poverty within 24 months by providing a monthly allowance of Rs. 20,000. 

The Opposition Leader said the new national programme will be implemented utilising the strengths of existing initiatives like Janasaviya, Samurdhi, Aswesuma, and Gamidiriya.

He further said the new poverty alleviation programme will focus on consumption, investment, savings, production and export for food and non-food needs.

“Millions of people are suffering from poverty in our country due to the absurd policies of the current government and the leaders who have bankrupted the country.

“The new poverty alleviation national programme will be implemented for the poor people who have no clear source of income and are incapable of having three daily meals,” he said. 

MP Sajith Premadasa pointed out that the poverty alleviation programme will focus on providing benefits primarily to women who run the household. 

The SJB Presidential candidate made the statement while addressing the election rally held in Seruwila Town in Kantale today. (Newswire)

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The government has decided to increase the monthly allowances granted for senior citizens and persons with disabilities and kidney ailments. 

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said the Rs.5,000 allowance given to kidney patients and persons with disabilities will be increased to Rs.7,500.

He further said that the Rs.2,000 senior citizen allowance will be increased to Rs.3,000.

The State Minister noted that the increased allowances will be provided with effect from January this year.

State Minister Semasinghe added that ‘Aswesuma’ Welfare Benefit recipients within these categories will receive the increment from April 01, 2024. (NewsWire)

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The duty-free allowance given to Sri Lankan expatriate workers at the airport will be increased from May 01, 2023, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said today.

Addressing the media at the Government Information Department, Minister Nanayakkara stated that a circular in this regard has been issued.

A proposal presented by Minister Nanayakkara to the cabinet of ministers seeking their approval to increase the duty-free allowance given to expatriate workers at the airport was approved. 

Accordingly, the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has issued the relevant circular. As per the circular, expatriate workers who legally send money to Sri Lanka through the banking system are eligible to receive an increased duty-free allowance. 

The amount of money sent through the banking system since the first of May last year will be taken into account and this concession will be given under five categories.

Workers who have sent between USD 2400-4799 will get an additional duty-free allowance of 600 USD and workers who have remitted between USD 4,800 – $7,199 will get an additional allowance of USD 960. 

Workers who have sent between USD 7,200 – USD 11,999 will receive an additional duty-free allowance of USD 1,440. 

Expatriate workers who have remitted between USD 12,000 – USD 23,999 can get USD 2,400 and workers who have sent USD 24,000 or more can get an additional USD 4,800 duty-free allowance.

“It is very important to direct the workers for foreign jobs and it is equally important to bring the money they earn to the country through legal channels. We have worked hard for that in the past. At a time when the amount of remittances received from expatriate workers had dropped to 190 million dollars when some went to other countries and told workers not to send money to the country, and while some chose illegal methods such as undiyal to send money, we implemented several measures to rectify these issues. After understanding how the people of our country were suffering, our expatriate workers once again started sending money to the country through the banking system. Several programmes were implemented to bring money to the country through safe and legal channels,” he said.

The Minister further said; “Accordingly, an import license was introduced for migrant workers to import electric vehicles. We have also arranged to provide duty concessions to expatriate workers. Accordingly, the circular was issued yesterday to increase the duty-free allowance for expatriate workers at the airport.”

As per the circular, the increase in the duty-free allowance for expatriate workers at the airport will be implemented from the first of May. The facility is available through an App operated by the Central Bank. By registering through this App, it is possible to get an additional duty-free allowance based on the amount of dollars sent to the country.

Minister Nanayakkara further stated that last week, Cabinet approval was obtained to introduce a low-interest loan system for expatriate workers. Accordingly, expatriate workers can get loan facilities up to two million rupees. Also, the President presented his observations to the Cabinet and informed the Cabinet that a programme should be implemented for the workers who have returned to this country after working abroad.

“Some time back, expatriate workers were called heroes of our country. Then during the Corona period, they were treated as human bombs. False information was circulated that expatriate workers returning to the country will put the country in peril during the covid pandemic. They were mistreated and embezzled during quarantine. Against this backdrop, the initiatives taken by the new government gave the expatriate workers new hope and the foreign remittances started flowing again through legal channels,” he added. (NewsWire)

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