Presidential Election Sparks Salary War: Public Sector Pay to Surge

COLOMBO (News 1st); As the Presidential Election approaches, the Sri Lankan political landscape is filled with various promises, and among them is the promise for increased salaries for the public sector.

Commencing January 1, 2025, the basic salary for public service will be increased by at least 24% for the lowest ranks, with increases ranging from 24% to over 50% for all public service professionals.

The President's Media Division in

mentioned salary increases for the individual positions in the government sector.

SJB Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa has promised a 24% salary increase and raising the living allowance from 18,700 to 25,000 rupees. This move ensures a minimum salary of 57,500 rupees for all government officials.

At the same time, Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the NPP has included in its election manifesto that the government employees will be provided with salary raises every six months in propotionate to the cost of living.

During a press conference announcing recent cabinet decisions, journalists questioned Minister Bandula Gunawardena about the government's decision to increase salaries for government employees.

"When we presented the budget last year, the President, as the Minister of Finance, stated that there were insufficient funds to increase salaries due to the current economic situation. Instead, a living expense allowance of ten thousand rupees was provided to everyone.As the year progressed, various groups, including doctors, protested that this allowance was insufficient. In response, the cabinet made additional provisions for their salaries. Later, university professors and academic staff also expressed their inability to manage, leading to further adjustments to prevent disruptions in education. District secretaries and chief executive officers of the public service also requested adjustments, which were made accordingly. Throughout these discussions, the President reminded the Cabinet that these funds come from taxpayers' money and that the country does not have the income to sustain such increases indefinitely," explained the Minister.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission regarding an announcement made by the Presidential Media Division yesterday, which detailed an increase in government employee salaries.

The SJB contends that this announcement outlines a series of political incentives proposed by the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

They allege that the timing of this announcement is strategically aimed at influencing the postal voting period, which begins tomorrow.

In their complaint, the SJB argues that this action constitutes a violation of the Presidential Election Act. 

They have called on the Election Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into the matter and have requested an order be made to withdraw the notification issued by the government.