The relationship between the public and the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) will be greatly enhanced following the recent launch of the ETF website. This will be of immense help to the members to get to know the vast array of benefits they are entitled to through the ETF.

Ceremonially ope-ning the website, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Charita Ratwatte commended the ETF staff for introducing a very useful service. Calling it an admirable step taken towards serving the consumer, he said he hoped that now it will be a less painful retirement process for those who wind up their careers. He called upon the staff to make theirs a service oriented, customer caring, positive organization.

Finance Manager - Investment, Rukma Gnanasekera outlined the benefits provided to ETF members. Among the benefits were Free Life Insurance, Disability Insurance and Assistance for Intra-ocular Lens Implants and Heart Surgery, which have been in existence for quite some time but not known to most customers. Even details of the scholarship scheme for members’ children were not known to many. Awareness will now be created through the website.

The website will also make the claims procedure simpler and quicker. The claimant can now download the relevant application forms and even verify the lead times for claims payments.

The website which is designed and hosted by Lanka Internet Services will have an opinion poll which will enable the public to log on suggestions for improvement. A clipboard will be introduced in the near future giving details of recent developments such as payments through the bank network, and remission of payment using a pay card. Information relating to house ownership scheme and ‘Shramasuwa Reka-warana’ medical and hospitalization insurance scheme, among many other benefits are also available in the website. Following the recent restructuring of the Employees Trust Fund Board,several initiatives are now in operation aimed at improving efficiency. The website is a definite step towards improving the communication links with the members as well as employers.

Anyone interested can log on to www.lanka.net/etf