MP Amaraweera oversells cost of salaries and pensions

7 October 2021 12:00 am Views - 758

 

 

To check this claim, FactCheck.lk consulted data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Annual Reports. Data from the CBSL shows that on average from 2016 - 2019, only 44% of government revenue was spent on salaries, wages, and pensions of public servants, which falls very much below the MP’s stated figure. In 2020, 77% of government revenue was spent on the same. The increase in the percentage results mainly from a 28% reduction in government revenue, as well as from a 15% increase in expenditure on salaries, wages, and pensions.

The percentage of government revenue spent on salaries, wages and pensions has normally been under 50% of government revenue. Even in 2020, when the percentage was unusually high, it was still significantly below what the MP claimed.

Therefore, we classify his statement as FALSE. 

**FactCheck.lk’s verdict is based on the most recent information that is publicly accessible. As with every fact check, if new information becomes available, FactCheck.lk will revisit the assessment. 

 

 

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