President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the upcoming budget under the National People’s Force government will include salary increases for public servants and fair wages for plantation workers. Speaking at a candidate introduction event in Nuwara Eliya, Dissanayake outlined his vision for economic reforms aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of government employees and workers in the plantation sector.
Addressing the audience gathered at Gregory Lake First Adira Precinct on November 3, Dissanayake acknowledged the struggles of public servants and university staff who have been demanding salary hikes, often without a satisfactory response from the previous administration. He promised that his administration’s budget will address these issues, highlighting that past pledges to increase public sector salaries were never fulfilled.
Dissanayake also emphasized his commitment to ensuring fair wages for plantation workers, noting that previous government promises of Rs. 1750 per day for plantation workers have not been honored. He criticized the delay and exploitation that plantation workers have faced, assuring them that his government is committed to securing a just and equitable wage structure.
The President shared his vision of a society where citizens do not always need to rely on government support. He envisions an economy that enables people to earn a dignified income through their work. Until the economy stabilizes, the government will provide support, after which citizens will have the means to live independently.
Dissanayake expressed a long-held dream to establish a society that promotes self-sufficiency and dignity, stating, “We fought for several decades, and now we have the opportunity to build the country we envisioned.”
Dissanayake touched on recent efforts to recall politically appointed diplomats and their relatives from embassies abroad, reiterating his commitment to professionalizing Sri Lanka’s foreign service.
In a unique shift toward sustainable practices, Dissanayake highlighted ongoing organic vegetable cultivation around the Nuwara Eliya Presidential Palace. The initiative supplies the Presidential Secretariat with around 60 kilograms of organically grown vegetables weekly, supporting healthier eating and sustainable agriculture. He instructed that these organic vegetables be distributed to security forces, underscoring his commitment to healthy and organic food practices.
The President’s statements signal significant shifts in economic, labor, and sustainability policies, promising a more equitable approach to wages and a focus on self-sustaining communities.
