A heated verbal exchange took place between Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera and National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra over the private-sector salary increment proposed in the government’s 2025 Budget. 

Speaking during a televised debate, NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra said that the government has received the consensus of private-sector stakeholders for a salary increment.

She further said that a nearly Rs. 9000 increment has been agreed to by the relevant private-sector stakeholders, which would be implemented in due time. 

Raising questions on the statement, MP Ajith P. Perera queried when the consensus had been reached and with whom, seeking clarification over the private-sector stakeholders mentioned by the government. 

“If there was no consensus, the private sector stakeholders have time to address this. We won’t tell you the date we reached the agreement. The salaries will be increased, that is all. Why would we tell you the date the agreement was reached?” Hemachandra responded. 

On being repeatedly questioned when the agreement had been reached with private-sector stakeholders, MP Lakmali Hemachandra said the details have been mentioned in the NPP government’s 2025 Budget.

NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra further refused to respond stating that the government was not inclined to inform MP Perera of the specific details.

“We won’t tell you the date. This is such a strange question, and we won’t answer your question,” Hemachandra added. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission says the government’s recent announcements on increments to salaries and allowances of public services do not affect the ongoing postal voting process. 

Addressing the media, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Ratnayake said that the Parliament is vested with powers to make decisions related to state finances. 

Saman Ratnayake pointed out that the current proposals on salary hikes are included in the Budget 2025 and are not immediate decisions being implemented.  

He further said that even though proposals are made to increase salaries, they have to be presented to Parliament and thereafter approved by Parliament. 

Responding to questions if the recent developments could potentially influence voters, Ratnayake said that government employees are well aware of the electoral process. 

Ratnayake called on all parties to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines, stressing that their actions must not sway or influence voters in any manner. “It is the responsibility of all parties to ensure an environment to conduct a free and fair election,” he said.

The Commissioner General of Elections’ comments come after concerns were raised by various parties, including election monitoring bodies, over the government’s announcement that public service salaries and allowances will be increased with effect from January 1, 2025.

The government yesterday announced that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the final report of the Presidential Expert Committee appointed to make recommendations related to the salaries and allowances of public services.

Various parties argue that the announcement is a violation of election laws, as the proposals were being made under the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a Presidential candidate, ahead of the Presidential polls. (Newswire)

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An Independent Remuneration Committee has been appointed to review the recent proposed salary increase of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The Committee has been appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies.

The Independent Remuneration Committee members include Dinesh Stephen Weerakoddy, Arjuna Herath, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Sudharma Karunarathne, Anthony Nihal Fonseka, Anushka S Wijesinha, and Duminda Hulangamuwa. 

The President appointed the Committee based on the recommendation in the report by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on the matter. 

The CBSL had increased the salaries of its employees by nearly 70% recently, a move that was heavily criticized by parliamentarians of both the ruling party and the opposition.

At a Parliament session soon after, Prime Minister Dinesh Guanwardena provided a detailed explanation of the salary increase percentages, such as Office Assistant Grade I increased by 29.53 per cent, Office Assistant Grade II by 32 per cent, and Office Assistant Grade III increased by 35 per cent.

Assistant Manager Grade I was increased by 38.9 per cent, Assistant Manager Grade II increased by 41 per cent, Assistant Manager Grade III by 45 per cent, Assistant Manager Grade IV by 89 per cent, and Assistant Manager Grade V increased by 54 per cent.

Salaries of Staff Officer I was increased by 58.83 per cent, SO II by 62 per cent, SO III 1 increased by 66.7 per cent, SO III 2 by 70.16 per cent and SO IV increased by 73 per cent. The Assistant Governor’s salary was increased by 76 per cent and the Deputy Governor’s increased by 76 per cent.

Soon after reports of the salary hike, CBSL officials were summoned before the Party Leaders who inquired about the high salary increases, and were thereafter summoned before the Parliamentary Committee COPF which issued several recommendations, resulting in the temporary suspension of the salary hikes. 

At the time when concerns were raised on the salary hikes, the CBSL Executive Officers’ Union issued a clarification, stating that the salary increment was provided under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024- 2026. 

The Union highlighted that the collective agreement for 2024-2026 was a result of negotiation between the management and the unions. (NewsWire)

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The government has decided to provide the proposed Rs. 10,000 salary increment for state employees in April this year.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said steps are being taken to credit the increased salary before the 10th of April.

Speaking to the media, the State Minister said that initially, the government paid Rs. 5000 as part of the proposed salary hike. 

He further said that however, the government will now pay the entire amount of Rs. 10,000 by including it in the April remuneration. 

State Minister Siyambalapitiya added that they hope to provide the increased salary and pensions before April 10. (NewsWire)

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has informed that it has accepted the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) related to the recent salary hike of its employees.

Taking to ‘X’, COPF Chairman MP Harsha de Silva announced the CBSL’s decision, stating that the CBSL’s accountability to the Parliament has been established. 

He further said that the Central Bank Governor informed the COPF today that they accepted all recommendations from the COPF report on salary revisions. 

MP de Silva went on to note that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appoint a committee immediately to review salaries, until which salary increases will be deferred from next month.

“We also agreed on a 4-week timeframe for the committee’s report to ensure a swift resolution. I am glad we were able to come to a consensus without an amendment to the @CBSL Act. Thank you to all involved for working towards a positive outcome,” he added. 

The matter was brought before the COPF after it was raised in Parliament proceedings, with several MPs questioning the revision of remuneration of CBSL employees that was approved by the bank’s Governing Board.

At the time, the CBSL Executive Officers’ Union issued a clarification, stating that the salary increment was provided under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024- 2026. (NewsWire)

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The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) today presented to Parliament the report consisting of recommendations related to the recent salary hike of Central Bank staff. 

Chairman of COPF, MP Harsha de Silva presenting the report to Parliament said that the Committee recommends reviewing the salary hike by an independent committee.

He further said that following the review it has been proposed to hand over a report in 4 weeks.

MP Harsha de Silva said that the COPF has also recommended that until such time, to postpone the salary hikes of the Central Bank staff. 

The COPF also strongly recommends that the system of determining wages for professional staff should be separate from that of non-professional and other staff, he added.

The matter was brought before the COPF after it was raised in Parliament proceedings, with several MPs questioning the revision of remuneration of CBSL employees that was approved by the bank’s Governing Board.

Following the queries in Parliament, the CBSL Executive Officers’ Union issued a clarification, stating that the salary increment was provided under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024- 2026. 

Clarifying the matter further, the Union highlighted that the collective agreement for 2024-2026 was a result of negotiation between the management and the unions.

Stating that it is no secret that the central bank’s salaries are higher than other services, the Union said they require a competitive salary to do their jobs without pressure. (NewsWire)

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Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila has presented a Bill to the Parliament on repealing arbitrary wage hikes at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). 

The former minister handed over the Bill to amend the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act NO 16 of 2023 to the Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Hansa Abeyratne today (Mar 13). 

The Bill presented by MP Gammanpila proposes aboliting the Central Bank’s arbitrary wage hike, as well as making it mandatory to obtain the Finance Minister’s approval for the salary hikes of CBSL employees.

Accepting MP Gammanpila’s proposed Bill, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Hansa Abeyratne said steps will be taken to forward it for the consideration of the Attorney General. (NewsWire)

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In a contentious meeting held today at Parliament, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana led a delegation of Party Leaders to question Central Bank officials regarding a recent salary increase for its employees.

According to reports from the Parliament Media Unit, the discussion centred on several key points.

The salary hike, which amounts to an additional Rs. 232 million per month, drew sharp criticism from the assembled Party Leaders. They voiced concerns over the timing of the raise, denouncing it as unjustifiable amidst widespread economic challenges faced by citizens.

Despite the Central Bank’s status as an independent entity, Party Leaders argued that it should have taken into account the prevailing national economic conditions before implementing such a substantial increase.

A significant bone of contention arose over the legality of the salary hike. While Central Bank officials asserted that the raise was carried out in accordance with a signed agreement, doubts were raised regarding the registration of this collective agreement with the Labour Ministry. This discrepancy has sparked a legal dispute, further complicating the matter.

In defence of their actions, Central Bank representatives emphasized that the funds used for the salary hike were sourced internally, asserting the institution’s ability to autonomously manage its finances.

The meeting concluded without a clear resolution, leaving lingering questions about the appropriateness and legality of the Central Bank’s salary increase. (NewsWire)

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A decision has been taken to summon officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) before the Party Leaders next week.

According to a Parliament statement, the CBSL officials are to be summoned before the Party Leaders on Tuesday, March 05, 2024.

The CBSL officials are to be summoned to inquire about the recent salary hikes provided to Central Bank employees.

The matter came to light after some Members of Parliament at recent Parliament proceedings questioned the latest revision of remuneration of CBSL employees that was approved by the bank’s Governing Board.

Following the queries in Parliament, the CBSL Executive Officers’ Union issued a clarification, stating that the salary increment was provided under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024- 2026. 

Clarifying the matter further, the Union highlighted that the collective agreement for 2024-2026 was a result of negotiation between the management and the unions.

Stating that it is no secret that the central bank’s salaries are higher than other services, the Union said they require a competitive salary to do their jobs without pressure. (NewsWire)

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The Executive Officers’ Union of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank (CBSL) has issued a clarification on the salary increment provided recently. 

The matter came to light after some Members of Parliament at recent Parliament proceedings raised the matter regarding the latest revision of remuneration of employees of the CBSL that was approved by the bank’s Governing Board.

The CBSL also issued a statement, clarifying that the salary increment was provided under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024- 2026. 

Further clarifying the matter, the Executive Officers’ Union of the Central Bank highlighted that the collective agreement for 2024-2026 was a result of negotiation between the management and the unions.

Stating that it is no secret that the central bank’s salaries are higher than other services, the Union said they require a competitive salary to do their jobs without pressure.

“As a result, there is interest in working at the agency and highly qualified young people enter the agency. Central bank staff are also barred from private practice. Due to being a closed service, promotional opportunities are limited,” it said. 

The Union also revealed that around 100 experienced officers have left the Central Bank for multilateral agencies and the drain would have worsened.

The full statement of the Executive Officers’ Union of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank : 

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