Connect with us

News

Claims of no Cabinet approval for public sector pay hike, false – PMD

Published

on

The President’s Media Division states that reports claiming that Cabinet approval has not been granted for the public sector salary increase from 2025, are false.

The PMD statement further notes :

On May 27, 2024, under Cabinet Decision No. 24/Misc. (020), a study was initiated to address salary disparities among different public sector groups. A special committee was appointed to analyse salaries, wages, and other allowances across all public sector divisions to make necessary adjustments, which would then be included in the 2025 budget proposals. The expert committee has held discussions with 81 major trade unions and government officials in the public sector. Following these discussions and an analysis of the relevant information, an interim report has been prepared.

In this context, Mr. Udaya R. Senewiratne, the Chairman of the expert Committee clarified that while preparing this report, additional information was gathered from 391 trade unions, organizations, institutions, and individuals.

The interim report takes into account the existing fiscal constraints and challenges faced by public sector employees. It includes recommendations for revising the existing salary structures, along with measures to manage government spending more effectively. The report also proposes a policy framework that includes strategies for reducing government expenses and enhancing revenue generation, while implementing salary revisions based on established standards and benchmarks.

Accordingly, the Cabinet Paper No. 24/1609/601/097, titled “Interim Report of the Expert Committee Appointed to Address Salary Disparities in the Public Sector,” was communicated by the President and the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies on August 12, 2024.

Following a review and discussion of this interim report by the Cabinet, policy approval has been granted for the implementation of the recommendations specified in Sections 3.1 to 3.18 of the report. Additionally, these recommendations have been incorporated into the 2025 budget and approved for implementation.

For the year 2025, the following adjustments will be implemented for all government employees:

  • A monthly cost-of-living allowance of LKR 25,000 will be provided, subject to revision every three years.
  • The minimum starting monthly salary in the public sector will increase by 24% to a range of 50%–60%, with a total gross salary of LKR 55,000 including the cost-of-living allowance. Salaries for all other positions will be adjusted accordingly.
  • This new salary and allowance scheme will apply to all government institutions except for state-owned enterprises and banks.
  • Government pensioners who retired before 2020 will receive the salary increments to which they are entitled, with their pensions adjusted to eliminate existing disparities.
  • Starting from January 2025, pensioners will receive a cost-of-living allowance equivalent to 50% of the allowance provided to active government employees.

The Cabinet has authorized the gradual implementation of this salary structure, taking fiscal constraints into consideration, starting on January 1, 2025.

The expert committee submitted their final report to the President on September 3, 2024. This report, including recommendations numbered 01 to 08, addresses various aspects such as public sector classification, employee allowances, pension disparities, and recommendations regarding allowances and levies. The report has received policy approval for implementation starting January 1, 2025, and the recommendations have been included in the 2025 budget proposals.

Therefore, when disseminating such sensitive information, it is essential to avoid spreading misleading news and instead focus on verifying and communicating accurate details to the public.

News

Names of Mayors and Chairpersons of several LG bodies gazetted

Published

on

By

A gazette extraordinary has been issued containing the names of Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons, and Vice-Chairpersons of several local government institutions.

The names have been gazetted based on recommendations sent to the National Election by political parties and independents groups that secured a majority in local government bodies at the recently concluded Local Government (LG) election.    

Accordingly, the Election Commission has taken steps to publish the names from among the political parties and independent groups that secured a majority at the Local Government election held recently.

The names of the elected and nominated members for the respective local authorities, following the Local Government election were also published in the government gazette based on the respective administrative districts.

As per the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government on February 17, 2025, the term of office of local government bodies is scheduled to commence on June 2, 2025

පළාත් පාලන ආයතනවල සභාපතිවරුන්ගේ නම් ඇතුළත් ගැසට් පත්‍රය නිකුත් කෙරේ by poornima

Continue Reading

News

Weather Alert: Showers to ease in Southwest, strong winds forecast in North

Published

on

By

Prevailing showery condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to reduced gradually from today (01st)

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Continue Reading

News

Aluthgamage and Fernando assigned printing work in prison

Published

on

By

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, sentenced this week to jail for 20 and 25 years, respectively, have been assigned duties in the printing section at the Welikada prison, sources said.

Both of them are being held together away from the main section of the prison’s ‘chapel’ section, where prisoners serving life sentences and those convicted of murder and rape are held. The prison’s printing section prints its own documentation.

Prison sources said that in placing them in relevant wards to serve their jail term, the authorities had taken into consideration the security of the two convicts, as they might have had political enemies.

Mr Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment, while Mr Fernando was given a 25-year term of rigorous imprisonment by a High Court trial-at-bar after being found guilty of causing a Rs 53 million loss to the state.

They were accused of importing carrom boards and checkers boards through Sathosa during the 2015 presidential elections and distributing them to clubs.

Their lawyers said yesterday they were awaiting the certified copy of the judgement to prepare the appeal papers. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved