3. Replacement of section 5 of the principal enactment

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

Section 5 of the principal enactment is hereby repealed and the substitution therefor, of the following section:—

5. (1) The employer of a woman worker shall pay to such woman worker maternity benefits at the prescribed rate—

(a)

for the entirety of the period of two weeks immediately preceding the confinement and of the period of ten weeks immediately following her confinement if such confinement results in the issue of a live child; and

(b)

for the entirety of the period of two weeks immediately preceding the confinement and of the period of four weeks immediately following her confinement, if the confinement does not result in the issue of a live child:

Provided however, where such woman worker has worked in her employment on any number of days during the aforesaid period of two weeks referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), she shall be entitled to maternity benefits for such number of days after her confinement.

(2)

The periods in respect of which payments of maternity benefits shall be made under this section shall be in addition to any holiday or leave to which she is entitled.”.

“Liablity of employer and rate of maternity benefits.

Act, No. 15 of 2018

Read on from s 4