No money for public servants’ pay hike announced by previous Government: Vijitha

Colombo, October 29 (Daily Mirror)- The government reiterated today that no financial allocation had been made for any pay hike for public servants in keeping with the recommendations by the committee headed by Udaya R. Senevirathne despite a Cabinet decision taken by the previous rule.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the government is happy to implement a pay hike for public servants but it all depends on the financial viability of the Treasury. He said the previous government led by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe had not even considered the financial situation of the Treasury when taking such a decision.

“It is easy to make such decisions. But, implementation is not possible,” he said.

He said the government would give a salary hike for public servants, but the amount would depend on the financial situation.

“We will give you a pay hike for sure next year. But, we cannot tell you the exact amount right now. The amount will be decided in accordance with the financial situation,” he said.

He charged that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had hoodwinked the masses with the promise to grant a cost of living allowance effective from October whereas a circular had been signed to effect it only from January, next year.

“We don’t want to deceive you ahead of postal voting,” he said.