Sources from the President’s office have revealed that President Ranil is focused on implementing a LKR 5,000 salary increase for all non-executive civil servants starting next month. This adjustment comes in addition to a recently approved LKR 10,000 allowance, bringing the total increase to LKR 15,000 per employee.
A committee led by former presidential secretary Udaya Seneviratne has been tasked with reviewing and revising government employee salaries for the coming year. However, the President has urged the committee to enact the salary increase this year, before the upcoming presidential election.
Despite opposition from the committee and the Ministry of Finance, who have expressed concerns over the financial implications, the President remains firm in his decision. The committee has warned that the additional expenditure will need to be offset by public revenue or it could create financial difficulties in the coming months.
Political analysts suggest that this salary increase could be a strategic move to bolster voter support ahead of the elections, with the potential fiscal burden likely to be shouldered by the next administration. The government’s inability to impose new taxes before the election further complicates the situation.
