Trade unions affiliated to Samurdhi have warned of trade union action if Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa fails to address the grievances of the Samurdhi employees. They have expressed concern over the job security of Samurdhi employees following the government’s decision to bring the Samurdhi Authority and a few other state institutions under the proposed ...

Biggest fund EPF continued its aggressive buying into Vallibel One Ltd., yesterday as well. Around 8 million shares of VOL traded between a high of Rs. 30.20 and a low of Rs. 29.30 before closing at Rs. 29.60, down by 20 cents.  

The biggest fund, the EPF, is estimated to have bought around 10 million shares of diversified Vallibel One Ltd. (VOL) yesterday for Rs. 300 million from high net worth investors. Slightly over 15 million shares of VOL traded yesterday for Rs. 451 million. Of the quantity, nearly 10 million shares

Aug 11, Colombo: The Employee's Provident Fund (EPF) of Sri Lanka has come to an agreement with the Commercial Bank to speed up the fund's services.

The government has decided to amend the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) Acts. Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has said the EPF and ETF Acts would be amended to make provision for the proposed pension scheme for the private sector. The Finance Ministry

May 28, Colombo: Amidst concerns raised by trade unions in Sri Lanka, the government has decided to amend the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees' Trust Fund (ETF) Acts.

Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has emphasized that under the proposed pension scheme for the private sector, pensions will be granted in addition to the Employees Provident Fund and the Employees Trust Fund. Dr. Jayasundera said a Pensions Fund would exist, in addition to the Employees Provident Fund, the Employees Trust Fund and the Gratuity. ...

The Government is under strong criticism instead of praise due to the baseless and false campaign mooted by the opposition with regard to the proposed pension scheme. This was stated by Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister pointed out that the private sector employees will not lose their Employees Provident Fund, Employees Trust Fund and even ...

The 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. UNP National Organizer and parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake told the media that instead of contributing monies

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 ...