Full bonus to Ports Authority employees

Sri Lanka Ports Authority employees will receive their bonus premium for December 2016 sans any changes following a decision taken by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the monthly progress meeting. 

 Sri Lanka Ports Authority pays its bonus in two premiums, in April and December. Accordingly, a single worker was paid Rs. 30,088 in 2015 per premium. In April this year the SLPA paid Rs. 25,943 following a five-day strike demanding bonus payments to remain unchanged. The balance amount of money relating to the premium will be paid as a special bonus for all the workers, the Ministry said. Further, SLPA announced that a full bonus of Rs. 30,088 will be paid to all employees, similar to 2015. 

According to Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga the decision was taken to appreciate the performance of the Port workers in this year. 

“In this meeting we identified that Trincomalee harbour has been earning profits for the first time in recent years. We recognised that the annual profit of the Galle Port has doubled. The productivity of the Colombo Port has increased as well. Further issues faced by port authority employees have been solved to a great extent and we have provided them the required facilities. Taking all these to consideration, the Director Board led by the Chairman of SLPA recommended to pay bonuses similar to those of last year,” Ranatunga said.

“Conflicts in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority haven’t been solved. Colombo Port foots the debt incurred though Hambantota Port. The equipment in the port is outdated, and employees face many difficulties when carrying out their work. During the last decade there hasn’t been any investment on new equipment. However, even under these conditions we decided to pay the bonus,” he stressed.