The national minimum wage in Sri Lanka will be increased going forward with the Cabinet giving the nod for the same.
The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved the proposal put forward by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to increase the national minimum wage by Rs. 5,000.
Accordingly, the minimum wage will increase to Rs. 17,500 from Rs. 12, 500.
The minimum national wage was set as Rs. 12,500 as per the provisions of the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act of No. 03 of 2016. 
A tertiary sub committee comprised of trade unions and employers representing small and medium level entrepreneurs appointed under the recommendations of the National Labour Consultancy Board has recommended to increase the minimum wage.