Rs 7.5 billion Mehawara Piyasa in Narahenpita

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The foundation stone for a new building with two wings namely, to be built at a cost of over Rs 7.5 billion, will be laid by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Narahenpita, Colombo, on December 1, Labour Relations and Manpower Ministry Secretary Mahinda Madihahewa announced.

Mehawara Piyasa will cater to the needs of employers and employees, he said, adding that the entire expenditure will be met by Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund (ETF).

The President will also open a labour museum that highlights the struggles and origins of trade union activities.

The main objective of the project is to bring public services provided by ministry's institutions under one roof adopting the 'one-stop-shop theory', he said. Madihahewa expressed confidence that Sri Lanka would move higher from 29th place in the ILO's ranking list for industrial relations.

He said the total contributions to EPF had reached Rs 710 billion and it expands by Rs 4 billion every month.

EPF celebrated its golden jubilee last year and now provides more benefits to employees.