Questions and Answers

Qualification to become OPA president

Question: I want to know whether a Mudalali (MD/Director/Owner) can become the OPA president simply because he has some professional qualification? Will he uphold professionalism or try to support others holding high position by covering up their shortcomings and bluff the real professionals as well as the country at large? Will you publish the name of the professional who replies each question?

S. Sripadmanaban Colombo 5

Answer: Yes, any professional can become the President of the OPA but it is not that simple or easy. First he or she has to be a member of a Professional Association that is recognised by the OPA and is infact a Member Association of the OPA. Any professional has to be acknowledged as a professional and worthy of representing his or her Association at the OPA and so nominated to serve in the Executive Committee of the Forum of the OPA. Such a member of the Executive Committee or Forum should have held office as a Vice President, Secretary or Treasure of the OPA before declaring his intention to become the President. In any case he has to be first elected as president elect and serve a full year in office before becoming the President. When contesting for the post of President Elect, his name has to be nominated, seconded and accepted. Furthermore he has to have the support and confidence of the Executive Committee and the Forum in order to be elected by a confidential ballot by all the members of the Forum.

Once elected as a President all his actions and decisions are subject to approval by the Executive Committee.

Such decisions and actions can be questioned by the Forum if not acceptable. We don't understand what made you raise such a question about the President of such a prestigious body as the OPA.

We have a volunteer member who co-ordinates the answers by contacting the relevant authorities and professional experts and the name of this volunteer is immaterial to you, thus there is no need to disclose name.

Gratuity Payments

Question: Is an employee who worked in a charitable organisation entitled to Gratuity?

Is a cook woman entitled for gratuity?

If the Executive committee of such an Organisation has already paid the gratuity what action can the members of such an Organisation take?

After a lapse of several years can a servant claim gratuity when she left with all her dues. Is such a payment illegal?

H. G. P. Jayasekera JP All Island, Moratuwa

Answer: It is difficult for us to comment very much without sufficient details about this charitable organisation. Employees of most charitable organisations are entitled to the Gratuity payment.

Exceptions are art charities of a religious nature referred to as "Punya Ayathanaya" who has a certificate from the income Tax Dept. Even such charities carrying on a business venture have to pay Gratuity to the employees working in the business venture.

In the case of the cook woman if she is working for the Organisation and not as a domestic cook, she too is entitled to Gratuity.

If the Executive Committee of this charitable Organisation has already paid the gratuity, they have done the right thing and why do you need to take action against persons doing the right thing. Even after a lapse of several years an employee can claim Gratuity payment and there is a penalty as well imposed by the Labour Department for not paying it within 30 days of termination.

The word servant is very ambiguous from the point of view of Gratuity and unless it is a domestic servant she can claim and non payment is illegal.

OPA annual sessions

The 21st Annual Sessions of the OPA will be held on Saturday, October 11 under the theme: "Eradication of Poverty and Hunger".

The OPA sessions will be held at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, No. 78, Galle Road, Colombo 3. The chief guest will be Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

Technical Sessions -

I. Agriculture, II. Trade, Finance & Banking, III. Industries, Infrastructure, IV. Human Capital Development

Vacancies for few more registrations available.

Send your questions

"The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) will cover questions in all professions and subjects of common interest to the public in the "Daily News OPA At Your Service" page every Thursday.

Please make your question brief. Questions can be directed to the OPA on e-mail,[email protected] or [email protected], [email protected] Fax:2559770 or write to the Professional Centre, 275/75, Prof.Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7."