The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday decided to express their appreciation and gratitude to the government of India for donating five hundred thousand Astra Zenica COVISHIELD vaccines to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Cabinet that the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka has informed that the vaccines would arrive in Sri Lanka on the 28th of this month. This is part of India’s neighbours first policy. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar who visited Sri Lanka assured that Sri Lanka is on the priority list to receive the COVISHIELD vaccine.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched his vaccine diplomacy by offering immediate neighbours free consignments of vaccines.
LKR 1000 daily wage for Estate sector employees approved
The cabinet has approved the increase of daily wages of the Estate sector employees to Rs 1000.
Presently the estate sector employees are eligible for a daily wage of Rs. 750/including a fixed price allowance of Rs. 50/- and another allowance named over kilo rate if the fixed weight of kilo grams exceeds in relation to productivity.
The budget proposals presented to the Parliament in November 2020 suggested a daily wage of Rs. 1,000/- for the estate sector. Although several rounds of discussions were held with the stake holders of the “Estate employee salaries collective agreement 2019 – 2021 ,the Ceylon Employers’ Association representing the estate owners’ association has proposed to escalate the daily wage up to Rs. 920/-. Considering this fact, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Labour for taking necessary steps to escalate the employee wages of the estate sector to Rs. 1,000/- across wages control boards so that the budget proposal could be implemented.
Sri Lanka to establish DPL relations with Lichtenstein
The Cabinet has approved establishing diplomatic relations with Lichtenstein a small country that lies between Switzerland and Austria. It has a constitutional monarch and a Parliament.
The country is considered as one of the wealthiest countries in the world with higher industrial capability and manufacturing mainly the medical drugs, subtle correction equipment and electronic equipment. The gross domestic product during the previous year had been United States dollars 5.8 billion and per head income had been United States dollars 143,700 approximately.
Lichtenstein, with a developed banking system, a low – income tax scheme, has an economy based on services (especially financial services) and industry, with a small but significant agricultural sector. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. A member of the European Union and of the United Nations Lichtenstein has diplomatic links with many countries including India and Pakistan. According to Eurostat the population of Lichtenstein is just above 38,000
Govt. to build 100 new Court Houses
Justice Minister submits proposal to obtain Consultancy services
A considerable amount of court cases has been heaped in the courts operated within the country for justification purposes by now. As a remedy to that actions are being taken to increase the number of judges, a cabinet proposal presented by the Justice Minister said.
It further stated other facilities in the courts have to be accomplished parallel to that and it has been planned to construct 100 new court buildings or halls within the next 3 years in the country.
“Under this, it has been planned to construct multi storied court buildings as well as improve the existing buildings as well.”
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution submitted by the Minister of Justice to obtain required consultancy services from the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau that possesses experience in constructing court buildings for the implementation of the said project.
(SW)
