May 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) has said the government should contribute monies to the proposed private pension fund without utilizing the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund (ETF) funds.

Trade unions have decided to lodge complaint with the International Labor Organization (ILO) about the government’s proposed pension scheme for the private sector. Private sector unions have objected to the proposed pension scheme stating it was not beneficial to the private sector workers and that the government was using the workers’ funds to set up ...

More To Exit following UN Report The stock market continued to lose its momentum as predicted in the lead story on these pages in its last week’s edition, compounded by foreigners fleeing the market, made worse by the UN’s negative war report on the island. “There is panic selling by foreigners in the backdrop of ...

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the government has decided to create three separate funds to accommodate the proposed controversial Private Pension Scheme instead of obtaining funds from ETF, EPF and Gratuity. Accordingly, three separate funds, The Employees’ Pensions Benefit Fund

Several trade unions are to hold a conference on Tuesday (26) to create awareness among the people about the ill effects of the government’s proposed private sector pension scheme. Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) head, Joseph Stalin told Colombo Page that the union together with several others have organized a conference on Tuesday morning at the ...

Banks’ Profits Up 111% The banking industry achieved a considerably high level of profits in 2010. Profit after tax amounted to Rs. 57.5 billion last year, a 111% growth in comparison to a Rs. 27.2 billion profit in 2009. The significant growth in profitability was mainly attributed to a higher increase in fee-based income, a ...

A political expert contacted for an explanation on how the Bill to establish a private sector Employees’ Pension Scheme could go through parliament so urgently. He insisted no “Urgent Bill” could be brought up for debate in parliament without first being presented in the Supreme Courts. This insistence took our mind back to an anecdote ...

The gross income of the Employees Provident Fund was Rs.121.3 billion, which is 10.6 percent higher compared to that of the preceding year.  By the year 2010, the total value of the Fund has reached Rs.900 billion registering a growth of 16.9 per cent over that of 2009 reveals Central Bank reports.

The Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU) has called on the government to establish a pension scheme for the private sector employees. ICEU Head Wasantha Samarasinghe told a press conference that the union is to also take the matter to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Trade Union Federation (WTUF). According to Samarasinghe, the ...

The total value of the Employees Provident Fund has risen to 900 Billion Rupees. The Central Bank said this was the highest value of the Fund. This surge is attributed to the generation of more new jobs and a hike in the salaries of the Private Sector. The value of the Employees Provident Fund in ...

Feb 12, Colombo: Private sector trade unions in Sri Lanka have opposed the government's move to introduce amendments to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Act.

Government presented a bill seeking provision for employees to withdraw 30 percent of EPF (Employee Provident Fund) fund for housing and medical treatment

The total value of the Employees Provident Fund has increased. The Central Bank attributed this to the many new jobs generated. The current asset base of the EPF has risen to 900 Billion Rupees. The Central Bank said it is the highest value achieved by the EPF. The generation of many jobs

The Employees Provident Fund(EPF) asset base crossed the Rs 900 billion mark for the first time in its history, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. According to the CB Governor, the emergence of new employment opportunities in recent times and the increase of salaries in the private

President Rajapaksa as Minister of Finance presented the first budget in his second term as the Executive President, making proposals giving a major impetus to value addition of local industrial products, to improve export earnings while granting a wide range of concessions, increasing outsourcing facilities in Sri Lanka for foreign business enterprises. Thus the President, ...

Nov 15, Colombo: Sri Lanka's private sector trade union arm, Inter Company Employees' Union (ICEU) held protests today outside several private institutions against the proposed amendments to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees' Trust Fund (ETF) Act.

Employees Provident Fund President S K Gunawardena recently declared open the Employees Provident Fund office at Martin Road, Jaffna.

By Chamitha Kuruppu Reputed Economist and UNP Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, while talking about the crony capitalism in the country, warns that the situation is only going to get worse within the new set up, where economic...

Oct 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka government is to launch a new identification system from November 01 for the members of its popular retirement plan, Employees' Provident Fund (EPF).

Sept 30, Colombo: The members of Sri Lanka's largest social security scheme, Employees' Provident Fund will soon be able to withdraw 30% of their account for housing and medical requirements.

A new Amendment will be introduced to the Employees Provident Fund to grant additional benefits to the working class. The Cabinet gave the nod for the amendment. Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said major amendments will include the withdrawal of 30% of members from the funds for housing and medical treatment. Housing purposes will cover construction ...

Aug 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka Central Bank (CBSL) today dismissed an opposition party claim that the Employee's Provident Fund (EPF) does not have the authority to invest in banking and financial sector stocks listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Employees’ Provident Fund has declared the highest ever rate of interest of 13.75 per cent to its...

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion has assured an attractive interest of 13.75 percent for the Employees of Provident Fund. It is planned to grant this interest for the deposits maintained by all EPF members. Minister Gamini Lokuge said that their intention was to ensure

by Namini Wijedasa A powerful international federation of trade unions has in a petition to be considered by the US government delivered a scathing account of labour practices in Sri Lanka, alleging that worker rights in the country have deteriorated in recent years. The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) filed the petition before th...

Members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) are afforded facilities of securing information on their balance through Short Message...

Members of the Employees Provident Fund are afforded facilities of securing information on their balance through Short Message Services. This service is given with the support of Sri Lanka Mobitel. The related agreement was inked at the Labour Ministry. Mobitel Executive Director Suren J. Amarasekera and Commissioner General for Labour Upali Wijeweera signed the agreement. [...]

The Employees’ Provident Fund receives an interest of 13.75 percent. According to the Central Bank, it is the highest percentage so far granted for the EPF, according to the Central Bank. Last year’s interest rate was 13.20 percent. The new rate is an increase of 55 units based on the interest paid

Mar 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka's government managed Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for private sector employees had bought a 10 percent stake in Lighthouse Hotel.