The current cabinet is reevaluating the decision made by the previous administration led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to implement a 25,000 rupee salary increase for public servants starting in January 2025. Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath emphasized that while the government acknowledges the need for salary adjustments due to the rising cost of living, the final decision on how and when the raise will be applied will depend on the country’s financial situation.
Herath stated that the government is committed to ensuring a fair salary increase for public servants but will assess the fiscal viability during the upcoming budget review. The decision, whether to implement the increase fully or in phases, will be made based on the budget allocation for 2025.
The cabinet plans to present the budget after assessing the financial situation to determine whether the raise can be granted in full or staggered. This review is essential to balance public sector compensation with the country’s economic constraints.
