Decision to raise public service salaries faces heavy criticism

Colombo, September (Daily Mirror) -  With postal voting for the Presidential election just round the corner, the government’s decision to increase public service salaries has come under heavy criticism, with election monitors suggesting it is an attempt to exert influence.

In a letter addressed to the Election Commission Chairman, the People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) urges the Commission to look into the matter.

While stating that they have no objection to seeing salaries of government employees being increased, PAFFREL said they are only concerned with the fact that the announcement comes just one day before the postal voting ahead of the Presidential election.

In the letter, the PAFFREL recalled how the government turned a complete blind eye towards the government employees when they had demanded a Rs. 10000 pay rise a couple of months ago.

Furthermore, they highlighted that the government will have to bear a minimum sum of Rs. 20 billion per month when this comes into effect from January next year. 

The PAFFREL also questioned the feasibility of the decision, given the country’s bad economic situation.

The Cabinet today approved the proposal to increase public service salaries and allowances effective January 1, 2025,